Genre Notes What is genre The word genre

Genre Notes

What is genre? �The word genre means type or kind. We use genres as a system to classify books by their common characteristics.

For example…. Music is divided up into various genres such as Hip-hop, Rap, Country, Blue Grass, Pop, Classical, etc.

There are 4 main genres: - Fiction - Nonfiction - Poetry - Drama

Let’s take a closer look at FICTION…. *Fiction is writing that is made up; fake

Traditional Literature �Stories that are passed down from one group to another. This includes folktales, legends, fables, fairy tales, tall tales and myths from different cultures. �Examples: Paul Bunyan, Aesop’s fables (The Tortoise and the Hare), Jack and the Bean Stalk, Rapunzel

Realistic Fiction �A story using made up characters that could happen in real life. � Examples: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Eleven Birthdays, etc.

Mystery �A suspenseful story about a puzzling event that is not solved until the end of the story. � Examples: Sammy Keyes, Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children

Fantasy � A story including elements that are impossible such as talking animals or magical powers. �Examples: Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, The Lightning Thief

Historical Fiction � A fictional story involving historical events or people. �Examples: Titanic, Number the Stars, The Watsons Go to Birmingham

Science Fiction �A type of fantasy that uses science and technology (robots, time machines, futuristic settings) � Examples: The Hunger Games, Divergent, Ender’s Game

Let’s take a closer look at Nonfiction… � Nonfiction is writing that is based in fact; true

Informational � Texts that provide facts on a topic � Examples: Newspaper articles, encyclopedia entries, textbooks

Biography � The story of a real person’s life written by another person. �Examples: The biography of Abraham Lincoln or Michael Jordan

Autobiography � The story of a real person’s life that is written by that person � Examples: My Life in Dog Years – Gary Paulsen’s story of his own life

Memoir � Short account of an author’s experience � Examples: The Diary of Anne Frank

What is Drama? �Drama is writing intended for theatre/ to be acted out. Drama has a cast of characters, dialogue and stage directions.

Types of Drama: �Tragedy is a depressing or sad play; usually ends on a low note. �Examples: Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol �Comedy is a funny or humorous play, usually with a lighthearted tone. �Examples: Seussical the Musical

What is Poetry? �Poetry is a type of writing that has unique form and structure and is made up of lines and stanzas. It often uses figurative language, rhythm and rhyme to help convey meaning.

Narrative Poem � A narrative poem tells a story and has all the elements of plot.

Example Narrative Poem: Jimmy Goes to the City by Arthur Read Jimmy was a happy ape Until some hunters caught him He liked the jungle better than The city where they brought him The city was louder The city was meaner Even the dirt in the jungle was cleaner So Jimmy made a daring escape! The hunters were suddenly minus one ape! He climbed the tallest building Because from there he'd see How far away the jungle was From the middle of the city. Jimmy jumped into a passing plane But the pilot didn't wait for him to explain Jimmy flew back to the jungle And told his ape friends in their lair "The city's okay for a visit But you couldn't make me live there. "

Haiku �Haiku is a three line Japanese poem of seventeen syllables that follows the pattern 5 -7 -5. �Example: An ocean voyage. (5 syllables) As waves break over the bow, (7 syllables) the sea welcomes me. (5 syllables)

Free Verse � Free Verse is an open form of poetry, it does not typically have a pattern or rhyme scheme.

Example Free Verse Poem Autumn by Fern Wind Blowing briskly Leaves fall From The Trees We rake Colored leaves In A Big Pile. And jump.