LITERATURE GENRE NOTES!

Poetry1. Definition: shortened form of writing2. Figurative Language: metaphors,

similes, personification, alliteration3. Author’s expression of

feelings/emotions/opinions4. May follow a form/structure: haiku,

limerick, sonnet

Traditional Literature1. Definition: stories passed down for

generations by oral storytelling2. Myths, legends, folk tales, fairy tales,

nursery rhymes, tall tales3. Foundation for fantasy

Fantasy1. Characters: talking animals, mythical

creatures (dragons, minotaurs, vampires), magic users (wizards, witches)

2. Setting: often medieval (forests, castles, caves), time travel (magic)

3. Plot: hero’s journey/quest, often good vs. evil

Science Fiction1. Characters: mutants, aliens, robots,

mad scientists, talking computers2. Setting: advanced technology/

futuristic cities, space ships, other worlds, time travel (technology)

3. Plot: alien attacks/visits, time travel, technology is important, experiments “gone wrong”

Realistic Fiction1. Characters

Everyday people(students, parents, teens)

Experiencing everyday life (family issues, friends, sometimes dramatic: survival)

2. Setting Modern times Realistic places

3. Plot Realistic, believable events

Historical Fiction1. Characters:

Famous, historical people Average or significant people

2. Setting: 20th century to present Historical/important places (Philadelphia,

Germany)

3. Plot: Authentic (true) historical events

Mystery1. Characters:

Detectives (sleuths), investigators (FBI, CIA), spies Murderers, thieves

2. Setting: Crime scene Detective agency May be mysterious place(creepy house, museum,

…)

3. Plot: Crime or mysterious event Clues → solution

Biography, Autobiography, Memoir1. Bio=life - graphy=write2. Biography: story of someone’s life

written by someone else3. auto=self – bio=life – graphy=write4. Autobiography: story of someone’s life

written by themselves5. memoir=memory6. Memoir: a short account of the author’s

experiences written by themselves

Informational1. purpose – provides information on a

wide range of topics2. Nonfiction: writing dealing with facts

and real events 3. Science, crafts, sports, news articles,

social studies