How do you figure out what genre or type of text you are

reading?

For example:

What type of text is “The Story of Arachne, Nature’s Weaver”?

In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the genre or type of text you are reading by previewing the title and

clues within the text.

Let’s Review

MythA story, usually of Greek origin, with gods that teach a lesson or explain a

natural or social phenomenon Legend

A short historical story that is

repeated through

generations

FableA short story typically with

animals as characters that

has a moral

A Common Mistake

Forgetting to preview titles and text to look for clues to help identify the genre or type of story you are reading.

Core LessonCore Lesson

Arachne = Spider

Subtitle = Greek myth

Core LessonCore Lesson

Arachne = spider

subtitle = Greek myth

Just watching Arachne’s hands fly through the yarn was pleasure enough to draw nymphs2 from the golden river Pactolusand and from the vineyards of Tymolus.---------

2In Greek mythology, a nymph is a minor female deity, similar to a fairy.

Indicates a footnote

footnote = Greek myth

Core LessonCore Lesson

That someone was none other than Athena3, the goddess of craftsmen. She got word that there was a weaver in Lydia whose artistry surpassed all mortals, and claimed to rival the gods.

Arachne = spider

subtitle = Greek myth

footnote = Greek myth

Gods + Goddesses =myth

I remember in the definition of myths, there are gods who usually teach a lesson.

Core LessonCore Lesson

Arachne = spiderSubtitle = Greek mythFootnote = Greek mythGoddess & God = myth

I think this story is a

myth!

Core LessonCore Lesson

Read the title and ask yourself, “Does this give me clues about whether this is a myth, fable, or legend?”

1

2Preview the text and ask yourself, “Does this give me clues about whether this is a myth, fable or legend?”

3 Jot down your thinking on a sticky note.

In this lesson, you have learned how to identify the

genre or type of text by previewing the title and clues

within the text.

Guided Practice

Preview the story, “The Legend of the Corn” and use the steps from the lesson to determine what type of text it is.

Extension Activities

1) List all of the genres you can think of.

2) Identify characteristics that make each genre unique. For example, historical fiction has real historical events even though the story is not real.

3) Find evidence in the book you are reading that supports a specific genre.

Extension Activities

Now that you know how to preview the title and text of a short story to identify the genre, let’s take it one step further.

Once you’ve determined the genre of a short story, can you make a prediction based on some of the clues you’ve gathered while previewing?

Quick QuizQuick Quiz

Preview the text below to determine what type of story it will be.