GENRES

POETRY Type of literature in which words are

carefully chosen and arranged to create certain effects. (uses colorful language, rhythm, rhyme)

SHORT STORIES Work of fiction that centers on a single

idea and can be read in one sitting

NOVELS Long work of fiction

PLAYS (DRAMAS) Form of literature meant to be

performed by actors in front of an audience

BIOGRAPHIES Story of a real person’s life, written or

told by another person

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES Story of a real person’s life, written or

told by that person

FOLKTALES A story that has been passed down from

generation to generation by word of mouth

MYTHS A traditional story that attempts to

answer basic questions about human nature, origins of the world, mysteries of nature, and social customs

PARABLES A simple story used to illustrate a

spiritual lesson

SCIENCE FICTION A story that explores unexpected

possibilities of the past or future, using known scientific data and theories as well as an author’s creative imagination

FABLE A brief tale told to teach a lesson or

illustrate a moral

FANTASY A highly imaginative story and portrays

events, characters, and settings that are unrealistic

HISTORICAL FICTION A story that is set in the past and

includes real places and real events of historical importance

LEGEND A story handed down from the past

about a specific person, usually someone of heroic accomplishments

TALL TALE A humorously exaggerated story about

impossible events, often involving the supernatural abilities of the main character

TRAGEDY A dramatic work that presents the

downfall of a character who is involved in historically or socially significant events