Genres

Genre means a category, or kind of story.

S. Bolmeier/MPS

All categories of books or stories can be called either fiction or non-fiction.

Fictiona made up story can tell about things

that could happenis read for fun characters may be

like real people or imaginary

Non-Fictionhas facts that can

be checked and proven

the author is an expert on this information

it IS TRUE!

Realistic fictioncan be based on a real storycharacters act like real peoplecharacter tries to solve a problemstory could happen in real lifesome events are historically accuratecharacter’s feelings and behaviors

are like real life

Historical FictionForm of fictionBased on historical eventsAuthentic settingsCharacters portrayed in realistic mannerSome characters may be actual people

from historyArtistic mix of fiction and historical fact

Science FictionForm of fictionContains some sort of

scientific element – outer space, medicine, technology

Within realm of possibilityCharacters have some

believable traits

Fantasy

Animal characters may act like peoplecharacters may have special powers characters may be imaginary beingssetting may be in another time (future)usually has a good vs. evil conflictmay use scientific principles not yet

available or discovered

            

MysteryUsually fictionUsually narrativeThe protagonist is usually an investigator,

crime solver, or spyClues are given throughout the story, but

reader usually has to make inferencesSuspense is created by several possible

solutions, with the actual solution revealed at the end

Poetrypage format may look different than

other booksmay have rhythm (beat)may rhymeimaginative and creativeuses describing or exciting wordstells a story in verse

            

InformationalTells facts that can be looked-up or

proventells about real eventscharacters have really livedmay have maps, diagrams and

illustrations to explain the factsauthor is an expert on the subject

BiographyStory of a real person’s lifeWritten by someone elseAuthor may do research by

interviewing the subject or those who knew the subject

AutobiographyStory of a real person’s lifeWritten by the person the story is

aboutAuthor doesn’t need to do researchAuthor shares how he/she feels and

what he/she thinks

Traditional Literaturetells about the great deeds of a person

who may have livedmay exaggerate a person’s bravery or

powersprobably a long ago settingstory may be considered a part of the

history and culture of a group of peoplemagic may be used to solve a problema lesson can be learned from the storyCharacters can be human-like animalsExamples – fables, folktales, tall tales