GenreDefining Genre

Longer Plot, character, setting, point of view, theme Plot includes subplots and more than one conflict

and sometimes more than one theme Some novels may have related or independent

stories and conflicts within the one main plot

Novel

Brief Plot, character, setting, point of view, theme Focus: one main plot, one main conflict, one

theme, read in one sitting

Short Story

Shorter than a novel but longer than a short story

Novella

Realistic Historical Classical Traditional (Myths & Folklore) Science Fantasy Mystery Poetry

Genres (fiction)

PLOT: very believable; could happen today CHARACTERS: regular people with ordinary lives SETTING: real/ordinary places today THEME: society, community, family, friendship,

coming of age DIALECT: used to represent everyday people/real

geographical influences

Realistic Fiction

PLOT: based on historical events or time periods CHARACTERS: based on people from history SETTING: past time period THEME: influenced by history DIALECT: used to reflect the past time period or

geographical influences

Historical Fiction

Material shapes what comes in later time periods and is widely acknowledged as having outstanding or endearing qualities

PLOT: typically more complex CHARACTERS: more defined, all characters

(major and minor) are developed SETTING: pre-21st century THEME: typically includes conflict DIALECT: time period, region

Classical Literature

PLOT: represents the beliefs and practices of a culture

CHARACTERS: larger than life SETTING: anywhere, based on culture THEME: culture and explanation (think myths,

folktales, etc.) DIALECT: idioms, figures of speech, accent

◦ Example: “Y’all go over yonder and take cover before it starts raining cats and dogs”

Traditional Fiction

PLOT: author’s imagination weaved around technology and the impossible BUT believable

CHARACTERS: futuristic characters (but CAN be realistic)

SETTING: future time periods THEME: controversial issues (cloning, mental

illness, etc.) DIALECT: new vocabulary to represent

alternative worlds and new technology

Science Fiction

PLOT: author’s imagination breaks free from reality

CHARACTERS: unreal SETTING: nonexistent/unreal world THEME: scientific principals not yet discovered DIALECT: used to represent everyday people/real

geographical influences

Fantasy Fiction

PLOT: crime, puzzle, or secret CHARACTERS: asked to solve the crime SETTING: anywhere (past, present, future) THEME: solving the mystery DIALECT: used to represent the characters and

their geographic location

Mystery Fiction

A written composition, often using rhythm, rhyme, metaphor, and other such artistic techniques to express an idea, feelings, or a story

Poetry

Non-fiction (articles, reference books, etc.) Biography/Autobiography

Genres (non-fiction)

present-time news events concerning important people, places, things, and ideas

News Articles (Non-Fiction)

PLOT: typically chronological explanation of someone else’s or your own life

CHARACTERS: real people SETTING: real cities/towns/places THEME: growing up, coming of age, careers,

families, etc. DIALECT: scholarly; if used, used to reflect the

time period or geographical influences

Biography/Autobiography