Genres of Literature

Genres of Literature
I. Nonfiction- real people and events

Types of Nonfiction
1) Literary Nonfiction: has elements of
fiction; For example it might use vivid
descriptions, a dramatic writing style, or
poetic language.
a. Autobiographies and memoirs:
tell the story of the author’s life
b. Biographies:
tell the story of someone’s life from
the perspective of another writer
c. Letters:
written communications from
person to person
d. Essays and Articles:
brief works about a specific topic
e. Reviews:
tell what is good and what is
bad about a work of art or
performance.
f. Reports:
give information about a
topic explored through research
2. Functional Texts - give
instructions, show directions,
explain rules, provide other
information that helps you
complete procedures; often use
illustrations or graphics
Examples of Functional Text
a. Recipes - tell how to prepare food
b. Directions - tell how to operate or
assemble equipment
c. Schedules - tell when events take place
d. Menus - tell which foods are available and
their cost
e. Brochures - use pictures and text to
advertise places or events
f. Maps - are diagrams that show areas of
land
g. Applications - are written requests to an
authority
Forms of Non-Fiction Text:
Newspapers Dictionaries
Encyclopedias Scholastic News
Textbooks Magazines
Non-Fiction Books
II. Fiction- imaginary events and
characters
1. Drama- story written in the form of a play
2. Poetry- written in stanzas and lines, with

or without rhyme, showing emotion and
imagination (usually fiction)
3. Novel - long work of fiction; contains
the basic elements of fiction; may
contain subplots along with the main
plot
Subplots: independent related stories
4. Novella - shorter than a novel but
longer than a short story
5. Short Story - brief work of fiction;
contains basic elements of fiction;
one main plot; one conflict; most
can be read in one sitting
6. Science Fiction- future life, other planets,
and scientific ideas
7. Mystery- stories about solving crimes
8. Horror – stories about ghosts, witches,
etc.
9. Historical Fiction- based on events in
history which include fictional elements
10. Realistic Fiction- things that could
actually happen today
11. Fantasy- characters with supernatural
powers
12. Myths- based on gods and goddesses of
different cultures
13. Folk Tales
a. legend - adventures of great heroes
(no supernatural powers) passed
down over generations
b. fable - old stories that have a moral or
lesson to be learned (animals)
Elements of Literature (FICTION)
1. CHARACTER - the people, animals, or
things in the story.
Antagonist – represents the forces of evil
Protagonist – represents the forces of good
Characters are...
a. Individual - round, many sided and
complex personalities.
b. Developing - dynamic, many sided
personalities that change (for better
or worse) by the end of the story.
c. Static – Stereotypes; they have one or
two characteristics that
never change and are often
over emphasized.
2. THEME - the general underlying
truths behind the story
The theme of a fable is its moral.

The theme of a parable is its teaching.
The theme of a piece of fiction is its view
about life and how people behave.
3. PLOT - a causal sequence of events,
the "why" for the things that
happen in the story. The plot draws
the reader into the characters’ lives
and helps the reader understand
the choices that the characters
make.
Five Parts of Plot
a.Introduction- the beginning. Characters,
setting & problem are laid out
b.Rising Action- Complications arise with the
problem. The plot thickens!
c.Climax- highest point of interest/suspense,
a.k.a. the Turning Point. The outcome is
decided
d. Falling Action - event that follows the
climax and end in resolution
e.Resolution- the ending. Loose ends are tied
up, everything comes together
4. POINT OF VIEW – refers to the one who is
telling the story
Types of Point of View:
a. Objective Point of View - the writer tells
what happens without stating more
than can be inferred from the story's
action and dialogue. The narrator never
discloses anything about what the
characters think or feel, remaining a
detached observer.
b. Third Person Point of View - the narrator
does not participate in the action of
the story as one of the characters, but
lets us know exactly how the characters
feel. We learn about the characters
through this outside voice.
c. First Person Point of View - the narrator
does participate in the action of the
story.
d. Omniscient Points of View – a narrator
who knows everything about all the
characters.
e. Limited Omniscient – a narrator whose
knowledge is limited to one character,
either major or minor.
5. SETTING
a) place - geographical location
b) time - historical period, time of day,
year, etc.
c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny,
stormy, etc?
d) social conditions - What is the daily life
of the characters like? Does the story
contain local colour (writing that
focuses on the speech, dress,
mannerisms, customs, etc. of a
particular place)?
e) mood or atmosphere - What feeling is
created at the beginning of the story? Is
it bright and cheerful or dark and
frightening
6. CONFLICT – the struggles that the
characters have to face in the story
External Conflict
a. Human versus Human - Conflict that
arises from one person against another.
b. Human versus Nature - This involves a
run-in with the forces of nature.
c. Human versus Society - The values and
customs by which everyone else’s lives
are being challenged.
Internal Conflict
d. Human versus Self – The conflict arises
from the character himself

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Genres of Literature

I. Nonfiction- real people and events

2. Poetry- written in stanzas and lines, with

The theme of a fable is its moral.

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