GenreGenreGenreGenreReading NotesReading Notes

September, 2012September, 2012

Genre• A kind or type, a category, or sort,

especially of literary or artistic work

Literary NonfictionIncludes • Informational texts• Biography• Autobiography • Memoirs/journal

Informational•This can also be known as

Expository text •Factual information about things

such as nature, science, animals, history, adventure, true crime, or stories about real-life families.

BIOGRAPHY•True stories about real people•Factual information about

real people•Learning about other person’s

life

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

•A true story written by the person the story is about

•Factual information included

Memoir• a record of events written by a

person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation

• Journal

Nature/Science• The environment and taking care of

the Earth• Plant/wildlife books• Factual informational• Scientific discoveries and inventions• Information about our bodies• The world and space

Historical Stories•Stories about real life in

other times•True stories about real

people from the past

Fiction• Imaginary text• Events and characters can be

coincidental or relative to real life• Events and characters can be

unrealistic

Traditional Literature: Folktales

• Legend-a non-historical or unverifiable story, but popularly accepted as historical

• Handed down from earlier times

Fantasy•Imaginary characters and

places•Magic, heroes, villains•Good vs. Evil

Fairy Tale•A children’s story •Usually includes elements

of fantasy•“happily ever after”

conclusion

Drama•A play•Has dialogue•Can be a movie script

Fable•a short tale that teaches a

morale lesson•Often has animals or

inanimate objects as characters

Tall Tale•An improbable, incredible,

or fanciful story

Myth (origin)•a traditional or legendary story•Usually concerning a hero or

event•Explains the existence of a

phenomenon (the beginning or creation of something)

Historical Fiction•Stories about imaginary

people based upon actual historical events

•Made up of stories based upon real people

Mystery•A crime•A question to be answered•An investigation•Suspense and climax

Science Fiction

•Possible future events•Travel to other galaxies•Stories about possible future

inventions•May include futuristic characters

Media Literacy• Information from sources such

– Magazines– Internet websites– Email– Social websites

• Use of persuasion• Bias• Based on personal experiences, beliefs and

values