Literary Genres

Definition: categories used to group different

types of literary work, such as non-fiction,
fiction and poetry.

What are some other types of genres?

 Genres and literature

When you speak about genre and

literature, genre means a category,
or kind of story.
There are many categories of stories and books
Here are some of the common ones:

Alphabet Books “How to” books Tall Tale

Animal Books Color Books Legend
Arts and Craft Books Folktales Myth
Fantasy, Mystery Biographies Fable
Fairy, Poetry
Non-Fiction

This can also be called

“informational" material.

These types of books provide

information that is factual. Nothing
is make-believe in these types of
materials. More specific examples
of this type of genre would be . . .
Biographies: A true account of a
person's life written, composed, or
produced by another.

Autobiographies: The biography of a

person written by that person.
What are some non-fiction
stories you have read?
Fiction

In this type of work, the author can

make up the whole entire story.
Authors can also choose to include
factual information in a made-up
story. The author can have wizards
creating magic spells or it can be
about a 12 year old girl who has a
secret crush.
Different types of fiction
Historical Fiction: The story takes the reader back to a
particular time period where they learn about the
everyday life of a person. The character may interact
with actual historical characters, but usually, the main
character is not based on a real person.

Realistic Fiction: The story usually presents a problem to

be examined that could be from anybody’s life. They
may cover such topics as family situations, peer
relationships, and cultural differences.
Science Fiction: This is a type of modern fantasy. It explores
scientific fact and can pose ethical questions about current
scientific trends and predictions. The author focuses on the
adventure of exploring the unknown and the wonder of
discovering new worlds and people.

Mystery: There are different types of mystery stories, but usually

a crime has been committed and the reader wants to try to
figure out “whodunit”. There is usually a great deal of
suspense and intrigue abounds.
What are your favorite fictional
stories?
What category of fiction would you put your
favorite story in? Why?

Science
Fiction Realistic Historical
Fiction Fiction

Mystery
Fantasy

In this type of story, the author has created

a magical world where anything is
possible. There are many types of
fantasy, from fables to fairy tales and
may include magical beings, talking
animals and gods and goddesses.
Fantasy
Traditional Fantasy:
Fantasy When we think of this type of fantasy story,
we often consider stories such as Cinderella. This genre
includes folk tales, tall tales, fables, and myths. These are
stories that have been told over and over, sometimes for
hundreds or even thousands of years!
Fairy Tales: We often know we are reading or hearing a fairy
tale with the words, “once upon a time . . ” Fairy tales often
feature a fight between good and evil. Evil always loses to a
triumphant hero or heroine. We also know it’s a fairy tale
because most end with “and they lived happily ever after.”
Fables and Myths:
Fables: These stories usually have a moral that is
being taught. It often uses animals that speak and
act like humans.

Myths: a story or group of stories that form part of

the traditional knowledge of a society. Myths often
use imaginative plots and characters to explain
how the world began and why nature and people
behave the way they do.
Modern Fantasy:

The events in modern fantasy are

outside the realm of possibility.
These stories cannot happen in real
life, but even though we know the
events can’t happen, they are very
believable. These stories allow us to
live in an imaginary world where
anything is possible.
List a fairy tale, fable, a
myth, a folktale, a legend, a
tall tale, and a modern
fantasy.
 Lesson Activity #1 (Introduction)

Working as a class, individually, or in small groups – use samples of different story

types/genres to write a definition of each. The activity can be adapted to include any
or all of the following literary genres:
Fable, Fairy Tale, Folktale, Legend, Myth, Tall Tale
Below are some links to sample online stories of each genre.
http://sitededicas.uol.com.br/cfab.htm ( Aesop’s Fables in Portuguese)
http://sitededicas.uol.com.br/cfolc.htm ( Brazilian Myths and Legends )
http://www.brasilfolclore.hpg.ig.com.br/ ( Brazilian Legends by Region )
http://sitededicas.uol.com.br/cfab.htm ( Fables in Portuguese )
http://www.caracol.imaginario.com/estorias/index.html ( Fables, Fairy Tales, Legends in
Portuguese )
http://www.terrabrasileira.net/indigena/index.html ( Brazilian Myths )
http://www.spiritoftrees.org/folktales/murray/dreaming_tree_amazon.html (Folktales
from the world)
http://www.animatedtalltales.com/story/chapter/1/page/1 ( Animated Tall Tales )
http://www.junior.te.pt/servlets/Jardim?P=Historias ( Fairy Tales in Portuguese)
 Choose or two sample stories for each genre.
Read in small groups. Think about the
elements of each story as you read. Respond
the following questions.

 Does the story tell about something real?

 Could the story’s events be real, or are they very unbelievable
(fiction)?
 Are the characters human or animal?
 If the characters are human, could they have been real people?
 Are characters doing things that are typically human or are
they doing things that are superhuman?
 Does the character face a problem that must be solved?
 Does the story teach a lesson?
 Can you tell when and where the story takes place, or could it
be taking place at any time and anywhere?
 Does the story take place long ago?
 Are the people in the story ordinary/common people, or are
they royalty?
 Is there any mention of God or gods in the story?
 Create a multiple-column Compare/Contrast graphic organizer.
You should replace the column headings (“Name 1, Name 2”)
with the genres of literature you are studying. Under “Attributes,”
you should write the questions above from Lesson Activity # 1.
The Read a story and answer as many of the questions as you
can; most of the questions can be answered with one word. Use
the information in the chart to formulate a definition of the genre

or genres being studied.

 Compare/Contrast
 Comparison/Contrast is used to show similarities and differences.
 Key frame questions: What are being compared? How are they
similar? How are they different?
 Fill in the Spider Map graphic organizer
below

Label the center of the spider map “Literature” or “Stories.” You can create a
“web” for each genre you are studying; each line leading from the center of

the spider should be labeled with one of the genres. As you listen, you should
consider the questions above from Lesson Activity # 1and write notes about
elements of the genre as you pinpoint them. For example, the web that relates
to folktales might include notes such as “characters are animals,” “animals
have human traits,” “explains something in nature,” “takes place long ago,”
and so on. Use your notes to help you from a definition of the assigned

genre(s).
Spider Map
 The Spider Map is used to describe a central idea: a thing, a process,
a concept, a proposition. The map may be used to organize ideas or
brainstorm ideas for a writing project.
 Key frame questions: What is the central idea? What are its
attributes? What are its functions?
Spider Map
Integrate Technology into Literacy
Activities

Record students brainstorming as many

words as they can think of about
Literacy Genres. Record using
Inspiration software, as a table, or a
simple list. Print out in large font to
be used as a vocabulary reference.
Make Your Own Puzzle
Go to the site below and make your own
puzzle. Use the words you have
brainstormed on slide # 21.
http://www.funbrain.com/detect/index.html
Make your own poll about
literacy genres.
http://www.alfy.com/
http://alfy.com/myalfy/poll/index.aspx
Bibliography

 Children’s Literature Genres

http://www.alpine.k12.ut.us/depts/media/elemlessons_
rev/m4-collections/lesson2cl_genre.html

 Genre Study: A Collaborative Approach

 http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp
?id=270
 Dictionary.com
 http://dictionary.reference.com/