Genres of Literature

Friday, September 4, 2009

Posted by Ben Koch, M.Ed.

Here are our class notes on our "genres of literature" discussion. It's OK to have a favorite genre, but it's also good to be a well-rounded reader and sample from all of them. We've labeled the "Books We've Shared" section of the blog with the special code for each genre.

First, FICTION vs NONFICTION. What's the difference?

One way to remember is to think fiction=fake, because it hasn't really happened and nonfiction=not fake, because it's based on real facts and is true.

Types of Fiction

• historical fiction (HF): based on real historical events, but the characters and details are made up. Example - Old Yeller.
  
• realistic fiction (RF): something that COULD happen, but didn't necessarily really happen. Characters and details made up, but based on real life. Example - Matt Christopher books.
  
• science fiction (SF): based on an imagined world of technology or science. Example - Star Wars and Star Trek.
  
• fantasy (FA): breaks the "rules" of what we think is real. Example - Harry Potter, Lightning Thief
  
• traditional stories (TS): folktales that are passed down many generations, fables, legends, and so on. Jack and the Beanstalk

Any of the above genres can be picture books. We'll use the code "PB" whenever a book is a picture book.