Literary Genres

This genre considers works with artistic value and literary merit. They often include political criticism, social commentary, and reflections on humanity.

• Mystery

• Historical

• Western

• Literary Fiction

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

Writers in this genre drops clues and slowly reveal information, turning the reader into a detective trying to solve the case, too. This novels start with an exciting hook, keep readers interested with suspenseful pacing, and end with a satisfying conclusion that answers all of the reader’s outstanding questions.

• Thriller

• Horror

• Mystery

• Fantasy

The genre of this novels are meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse readers. Generally focusing on themes of death, demons, evil spirits, and the afterlife, they prey on fears with scary beings like ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and monsters.

• Horror

• Mystery

• Thriller

• Bildungsroman

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

This novels are set in a time and place that could actually happen in the real world. They depict real people, places, and stories in order to be as truthful as possible. This works of fiction remain true to everyday life and abide by the laws of nature as we currently understand them.

• Speculative Fiction

• Bildungsroman

• Realist Literature

• Dystopian

These novels are a genre of science fiction. They’re set in societies viewed as worse than the one in which we live. This fiction exists in contrast to utopian fiction, which is set in societies viewed as better than the one in which we live.

• Dystopian

• Realist Literature

• Magical Realism

• Fantasy

This genre's novels depict the world truthfully, plus add magical elements. They aren’t viewed as odd or unique; they’re considered normal in the world in which the story takes place. The genre was born out of the realist art movement and is closely associated with Latin American authors.

• Fantasy

• Realist Literature

• Magical Realism

• Speculative Fiction

This novels are speculative stories with imagined elements that don’t exist in the real world. Some are inspired by “hard” natural sciences like physics, chemistry, and astronomy; others are inspired by “soft” social sciences like psychology, anthropology, and sociology. Common elements of sci-fi novels include time travel, space exploration, and futuristic societies.

• Bildungsroman

• Science Fiction

• Fantasy

• Speculative Fiction