Genres of TextGenres of Text

~ a brief overview ~

By Mrs. Mykal Knight

Genre:• A specific type, kind, or category,

of literary or artistic work

• Example: narrative, fiction, non-fiction, drama, comedy

Two Main Genres:

• Informational Text– Shares facts and

information– Ex: news article,

textbook

• Narrative Text– Tells a story– Ex: short story,

novel

Note: You will see these two definitions again.

INFORMATIONAL TEXTOne of the two main genres we are studying…

Informational Text

• Shares facts and information• Gives details of real-life events

• Ex: article, textbook, newspaper, autobiography, biography…

Non - fiction• Written accounts of real people,

places, objects, or events.

• Believed to be true

• Often historical

Supreme Court Judge

Biography

• A true story told about a person’s life story and accomplishments

• Written by someone other than who the story is about

Autobiography• A true story told about a person’s

life story and accomplishments

• Written by the same person who the story is about

Anecdote• A short and amusing (or

interesting) story about a real incident or person.

• Side Note: amusing means funny…

Hold That Thought…

• Informational Text and Narrative Text have some things in common.

• Let’s learn a little about Narrative Text, and then see how they come together…

NARRATIVE TEXTOur other main genre to study

Narrative• Also known as “fiction”• Fiction is a writing that is not true. • Narrative is a story with a

beginning, middle, and end.

Short Story

• Tells a story, using the elements of plot

• Can be as short as one page, but could be much longer

• Not as long as a novel

Ready to Connect?• We have reviewed two genres:

Informational and Narrative Text • Now, it’s time to see what they

have in common…

Informational Text Narrative

Text

Elements of PlotElements of Plot

The ingredients of a great story

A Common Thread

• Informational Texts will generally include MOST elements of plot.

• Narrative Texts always include the main elements of plot.

Plot• sequence (or order) of events in a

story.

1 2 3

Exposition

• Gives background information• Introduces the setting, and

characters• Often introduces the conflict or

problem

Setting• Time and/or place of a

story.

Characters• People, animals, or

creatures involved in the story.

Rising Action• the events that lead to the

climax, and can create suspense.

• Includes the conflict

Conflict• the problem that needs to

be solved in a story

Climax• the most intense part of the

story, or a major turning point in a story

Falling Action• Set of actions and events

bringing the story to an end.

Resolution• Also known as the conclusion• The conclusion, end result, or

outcome of the story.

Theme• The "big picture" or the

lesson / moral of the story.

Main Idea!!

Point of View• The perspective or direction

from which a story is told.• Two main types:

–First Person–Third Person

First Person Point of View

• The narrator is an actual character in the story.

Third PersonPoint of View

• The narrator is someone outside of the story (not a character in the story).

Flashback• A scene that interrupts the events

in a story to tell what has happened in the past.

Parts of Fiction / Narrative

Parts of Fiction / Narrative

Part II

Narrator• This is the person telling the

story in a narrative or short story

Dynamic Character• A character in the story who goes

through a permanent change in outlook or personality during the story.

Protagonist• The central character• The action usually revolves around

this character, who is greatly involved in the main conflict.

Antagonist• A person or force that opposes the

protagonist (central character) in a story.

Thesis Statement• A statement used in writing to:

–Open or introduce –Provide the main idea–Serve as a focus

Figurative Language• Language used to enhance

description• Not meant to be taken literally• Can also include Figures of Speech

Simile Metaphor

Simile• Figurative language, using like or

as to compare two things• Example:

– I am as hungry as a horse!

Metaphor• Figurative language• Compares two things, without use

of like or as.• States that one thing is another

thing.• Example:

– The girl was a beautiful butterfly, dancing across the stage.

Allusion• Literary device• The writer or speaker refers to a

person, event or thing in history or to a work of art or literature

Foreshadowing• The use of hints or clues in a story

to suggest what action is to come

The End!