Genre

What is Genre?

Genre is… A French word meaning type or kind

A system to classify books by their common characteristics

Types of genresPoetry Traditional literatureFantasyScience fictionRealistic fictionHistorical fictionMysteryBiography, autobiography, memoir Informational

Poetry1.Definition: shortened form of

writing2. Figurative Language: metaphor,

simile, personification, idiom, hyperbole

3. Author’s expression of feelings and opinions

4. May follow a form or structure

Traditional Literature1. Definition: stories passed down for

generations by oral storytelling2. Oral storytelling- stories told verbally3. Legends, folktales, fairy tales, nursery

rhymes, tall tales4. Foundation for fantasy

Fantasy1. Plot: hero’s journey/quest, often good

vs. evil2. Setting: often medieval, time travel,

magical3. Characters: Talking animals, mythical

creatures, magical users

Science Fiction1. Plot: Alien attacks/visits, time traveling,

technology, important experiments (“gone wrong”)

2. Setting: Advanced technology-cities, spaceships, other solar system/galaxy, time travel

3. Characters: Mutants, robot, aliens, “mad” scientist, talking computer

Realistic Fiction1. Plot: Realistic Events2. Setting: Modern time; realistic place3. Characters: Every day people doing

every day things

Historical Fiction1. Plot: Authentic historical events with

average or significant people2. Setting: pre 1970; could be

historical/important sites3. Characters: Average/famous

historical people

Mystery1. Plot: Crime or mysterious events

and clues leading to a resolution2. Setting: Could be crime scene,

detective agency, creepy house, haunting place

3. Characters: Detective, investigators, spies

Biography, Autobiography, memoir *Bio: life *Graph: write*Auto: self*Memoir: memory 1. Biography: story of someone’s life, written by

someone else2. Autobiography: story of someone’s life,

written by themselves3. Memoir: a short account of the author’s

experiences, written by themselves

Informational1. Purpose: provides information on a

wide range of topics 2. Informs, educates, teaches about

information3. Nonfiction- a story of true facts4. Science, crafts, sports, articles, social

studies