Story Genres

Literary Genres

Genres are categories of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

In literature, there are two major genres:

NONFICTION & FICTION

NONFICTION

Writing that is true or factual, also referred to as "informational text."

A helpful way to remember this is

Nonfiction = Not Fake!

But what are the different kinds of nonfiction texts?

Autobiographies/ Memoirs

• A real story where the author writes about him or herself.

• For Example: The Diary of Anne Frank, Orange is the New Black, The Pursuit of Happyness, Freedom Writers

Biographies

• When an author writes a story about another person's real life

• For Example: Hamilton, Soul Surfer

Informational/ Instructional

• When an author's purpose is to educate the reader

• For Example: Textbooks, Cookbooks, Historical Texts

Articles & Editorials

• Articles are short excerpts of writing that explain the happenings of an event.

• Editorials are articles that provide the author's opinion on a topic.

• ​As these report on real events, they are considered informative/nonfiction texts

Multiple Choice

This book is written by Maya Angelou, and it tells the story of her childhood. Therefore, what genre is this book?

• Autobiography/ Memoir

• Biography

• Informational/ Instructional

Multiple Choice

This book is written by Jon Krakauer, and it tells the true story of Christopher McCandless. Therefore, what genre is this book?

• Autobiography/ Memoir

• Biography

• Informational/ Instructional

Multiple Choice

This cookbook is written by Ree Drummond, a famous homestyle chef. Therefore, what genre is it?

• Autobiography/ Memoir

• Biography

• Informational/ Instructional

Multiple Choice

This newspaper story gives a factual/unbiased recount of the Titanic's sinking. Therefore, which genre of writing is it? 

• Article

• Editorial

FICTION

Stories that come from the author's imagination.

A helpful way to remember this is Fiction = Fake!

But what are the different kinds of fiction texts?

Science Fiction

• Stories dealing with aliens, the distant future, dystopian/utopias, or advanced technology.

• For Example: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Hunger Games, The Giver, Avengers

Historical Fiction

• A story set in a real place in the past (like WWII) with made up, but believable characters

• ​These stories often include references to real-world events and leaders or are based on true stories

• For Example: Refugee, Echo, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Realistic Fiction

• A story that could have happened, but didn’t

• ​This is extremely common in books, TV shows, and movies!

• For Example: The Lottery, Peak, Hatchet, Wonder, Outsiders, The Necklace

Fantasy

• Stories that contain monsters, magic, or other supernatural elements

• For Example: Under the Rug, The Hobbit, Harry Potter

Drama

• Writing that is meant to be acted out on a stage

• For Example: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet

Poetry

• Text that uses rhythm, form, and sometimes rhyme

• For Example: The Raven, The Jabberwocky, The Ballad of Mulan, Beowulf

Mystery

• A story with suspects, clues, and usually a crime that needs to be solved

• For Example: Knives Out, Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Who, Harris Burdick

​Folk Tales

• A story originating in popular culture, typically based on by word of mouth

• For Example: Seven Daughters and Seven Son, Aladdin, Robinhood, Johnny Appleseed

Myth/Legends

• Legend or creation/traditional stories, often pertaining to the actions of the gods

• For Example: Hercules, King Arthur, The Odyssey

Fable

• A story that demonstrates a useful truth and/or teaches a lesson

• For Example: The Gift of the Magi, The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Horror

• Horror is a genre of literature, film, and television that is meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse audiences

• For Example: The Tell-Tale Heart, A Quiet Place, Nightmare Before Christmas, Dracula

Multiple Choice

The Secret Life of Bees is not a true story, but it centers around the real events of the Civil Rights Act. Therefore, what genre is the novel? 

• Historical Fiction

• Fantasy

• Mystery

• Folk Tale

Multiple Choice

The Chronicles of Narnia tells the story of kids who step through a magical wardrobe. Therefore, what genre is this series?

• Drama

• Fantasy

• Fable

• Horror

Multiple Choice

IT by Stephen King tells the story of kids facing an evil, shapeshifting being. Therefore, what genre is this book? 

• Fable

• Poetry

• Realistic Fiction

• Horror

Multiple Choice

Jurassic Park centers around the fictional story of dinosaurs that were revived through the use of DNA and laboratories. Therefore, what genre is this book?

• Historical Fiction

• Science Fiction

• Realistic Fiction

Multiple Choice

What genre is Death of a Salesman, a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller?

• Drama

• Poetry

• Mystery

• Fable

Multiple Choice

The Tortoise and the Hare teaches kids that can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily; therefore, which genre is it?

• Folk Tale

• Fable

• Myth/Legend

• Drama

Now, watch the following video on our next unit's author, Edgar Allan Poe, and answer the questions along the way.

Open Ended

After hearing this physical description of Edgar Allan Poe, what are your immediate thoughts about this man and his literary legacy?

Multiple Choice

Using the context of this video, what does macabre mean?

• Hilarious and uplifting

• Old fashioned writing

• Ironic and darkly humorous

• Grim and gruesome, relating to death

Multiple Select

According to the video, what is required to create the unity of effect in a short story? Choose TWO!

• Short enough to read in one sitting

• Every word matters

• Creating compelling characters

• Having a cliffhanger

Multiple Choice

According to the video, while Poe's stories often hint at the supernatural, what does he consider to be the source of true darkness?

• The human mind

• Violence

• Grief

• Greed

Multiple Choice

Using the context of this video, what is an "unreliable narrator"?

• A narrator of a story who the reader cannot trust

• A narrator of a story who the reader can trust

Multiple Choice

According to the video, what emotion inspires Poe's most well-known poems?

• Grief

• Fear

• Anger

• Love

Poll

After watching this video, which genre(s) do you think we are exploring in this Edgar Allan Poe unit? Choose all that apply!

• Horror

• Macabre

• Gothic

• Drama