Below you will find a list of different genres along with the Characteristics and some books that fit that genre. I challenge you to read a variety of genres to help you figure out which one you really enjoy. Happy reading, Hornets!
FICTION GENRES CHARACTERISTICS
FANTASY
contains elements that are not realistic
talking animals
magical powers
often set in a medieval universe
possibly involving mythical beings
HISTORICAL FICTION
set in a historical time period
the characters are fictional
the story is based on historical facts
MYSTERY
strangeness
solving a puzzling event or situation
something unknown
solving a crime
centered around a person who investigates wrongdoing
centered around a person or persons employed to obtain secret information
REALISTIC FICTION
stories that take place in modern times
characters are involved in events that could happen
Realistic characters
SCIENCE FICTION
stories that often tell about science and technology of the future
involving partially true fictions laws or theories of science
Settings:
in the future
in space
on a different world
in a different universe or dimension
FICTION GENRES - What to Look for
FANTASY
Talking Animals or Objects
Magical Items
Mythical Elements
HISTORICAL FICTION
Historical Facts
Historical Setting
Human Elements to Historical Facts
MYSTERY
Strangeness or Something Unknown
Solving a Puzzling Situation, Event, or Crime
Centers on Someone Investigating Something or Searching for Secret Information
REALISTIC FICTION
Includes events that could really happen
Set in Modern Times
True-To-Life Characters
SCIENCE FICTION
Details on Science or Technology of the Future
Set in the Future, Space, or a Different World
Makes Guesses about the Future
NON-FICTION GENRE CHARACTERISTICS
BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Biography
nonfiction account of a person’s life written by another person
significant events from the main character’s life
Autobiography
Nonfiction account of a person’s life written by that person
Significant events from the main character’s life
TRADITIONAL
passed down from generation to generation
changing slowly over time
provide a link between the past and the future
Must retain much of their original flavor yet content has to evolve in subtle ways to remain meaningful in different eras
POETRY
Focus on the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm
INFORMATIONAL
Learn about real things
Explain or define facts about real world
NON-FICTION GENRE - What to Look For
BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY
About a Person
Facts about their life
Who is the author determines which it is
TRADITIONAL EXAMPLES
Folktales
Cmmon folks, such as peasants, and commonplace events
Maybe "make-believe" elements, like talking animals, but the stories, overall, sound logical - even realistic
Explain things about life, nature, or the human condition
Fairy Tales aka “Magic Stories”
Dreamlike possibility
Magical and enchanted forces
"Happily ever after" ending
Good is rewarded and evil is punished
Fables
Short stories - verse or prose
Moral ending
Aesop (6th century BC) - tales of animals and other inanimate objects that teach lessons about life
Legends/Tall Tales
Based in history
Embellish the life of a real person
Facts and adventures of the person are exaggerated
Myths
Portray themselves as representing a distant past
Common themes and characters, often "gods."
Explain the beginning of the world, natural phenomena, the relationships between the gods and humans, and the origins of civilization
Told as though they were true
POETRY - PURPOSE OF WRITING
To Entertain - For enjoyment
To Persuade - To convince you to think one way or the other
To Inform - To learn new information(facts)
INFORMATIONAL TEXT FEATURES
Timelines
Diagrams
Table of Contents
Glossary
Index
Headings
Maps
Graphic Novels
book-length story
told using sequential art, illustrations, and text
comic-strip panels, speech bubbles, and vivid, engaging imagery to convey complex emotions, actions, and narratives
**Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Can be Fiction - Made up stories
Some Graphic Novels are now Non-Fiction - Stories that include facts about places or people
Graphic Novels - Key Characteristics
Visual-Driven Narrative: Illustrations are essential to the storytelling, making them ideal for reluctant readers or those developing reading skills.
Accessible Formatting: They feature clear,, easy-to-follow panels, often with engaging, fast-paced plots.
Diverse Genres:
Silly humor
Fantasy
Everyday life stories
Non-fiction - biography
Focus on friendship, school, adventure, and overcoming challenges