Transcript Genres and literature - Kenston Local Schools

Genres and Literature
When you speak about
genre and literature, genre
means a category, or kind
of story.
Urycki/KMS
All categories of books or stories can
be called either fiction or non-fiction.
Fiction
a made up story
can tell about things
that could happen
is read for fun
characters may be
like real people or
imaginary
Non-Fiction
has facts that can be
checked and proven
the author is an
expert on this
information
it IS TRUE!
Genre
There are many categories of stories and books
Here are some of the common ones:
realistic fiction
“How to” books
historical fiction
poetry
mystery
horror
science fiction
folktales/fables
fantasy
nonfiction- biographies,
autobiographies,
informational texts
Genre
These are the choices we will use for our
projects and writings.
Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Horror/Mystery
Fables/Traditional Literature
Informational/Nonfiction, including:
Biographies & autobiographies
Realistic fiction
can be based on a real story
characters act like real people
character tries to solve a problem
story could happen in real life
some events are historically accurate
character’s feelings and behaviors are
like real life
the settings could be real or are
real places
Historical fiction
 The genre of historical fiction in the field of
children’s literature includes stories that are
written to portray a time period or convey
information about a specific time period
or an historical event.
 In historical fiction, setting is the most
important literary element. Because the author
is writing about a particular time in history, the
information about the time period must
be accurate, authentic, or both.
Historical fiction cont.
 These works may have characters who are either imaginary or who
actually lived during the time period.
 Settings also may be real or imaginary.
 The plot events may be documented historical events or they may
be fictional. If they are fictional, it means that the author created
the events for the telling of the story.
 The fictional characters, settings, and plot events must be
portrayed authentically as if they actually could have happened.
 A classic example of historical fiction is Johnny Tremain, a 1944
Newbery Medal book. The primary setting is Boston in 1773. The
book contains both real and fictional characters, real and fictional
settings, and real and fictional events.
 The book is successful because of author Esther Forbes’s extensive
historical research and knowledge of the time period and her skillful
blending of history and fiction into a believable story.
Fantasy
animal characters may act like people
characters may have special powers
characters may be imaginary beings
setting may be in another time and/or
imaginary place
usually has a good vs. evil conflict
may use scientific principles not yet
available or discovered
Science Fiction
novels, short stories, or
movies that apply science or
scientific ways of thinking to
futuristic or fantastic situations.
What is the Difference Between
Science Fiction and Fantasy?
Science fiction could be robots, fifth
dimension or alien invasions.
Fantasy has characters, objects, or events
that aren’t scientifically possible, like
talking animals, or some one who is
immortal.
Basically, the difference is that in fantasy,
you write about things you believe to be
impossible, while in SF you write about
stuff that hasn't been disproved.
Everything else is window-dressing.
Sci-fi vs. Fantasy
According to Michael Crichton,
useful definitions for fantasy
and science fiction are:
SCIENCE FICTION -- fictional narratives
about what is known or probable
according to our current understanding
of physics, history, etc.
FANTASY -- fictional narratives dealing
with the impossible.
Horror/Mystery
Characterized by mysterious, horrific
events which include suspense and
vivid description!
Violence, if included, is not gratuitous!
gratuitous =
Authors use terse, vivid description,
foreshadowing, and figurative language
when crafting these narratives.
What is the etymology of the word
“horror”?
Informational
tells facts that can be looked-up or proven
tells about real events
characters have really lived
may have maps, diagrams and illustrations to
explain the facts
author is an expert on the subject
also known as nonfiction literature
Includes: biographies, autobiographies,
textbook-style, etc.
Autobiography
Non-fiction
True story about the
author
True story written by
the author
All events actually
occurred
All people and places
are real
Biography
 Non-fiction
 True story about a
person’s life
 The true story is not
written by that person,
but has a different author
 All events actually
occurred
 All people and places are
real
Traditional Literature
tells about the great deeds of a person who may
have lived
may exaggerate a person’s bravery or powers
probably a long ago setting
story may be considered a part of the history
and culture of a group of people
magic may be used to solve a problem
a lesson can be learned from the story
this includes fables, folktales and
fairytales.
Poetry
page format may look different than other
books
may have rhythm (beat)
may rhyme
imaginative and creative
uses describing or exciting words
tells a story in verse