GENRE: A category of literature.

1. FICTION (STORIES) – A narrative story that uses made-up or untrue characters or events is called fiction. In some works of fiction, the entire story is made up; in others, the story is based in part on real people or events. Fiction includes both short stories and novels. A short story can usually be read in one sitting. Novels are longer and tend to be more complex.

EXAMPLE

The wise thing would be to run away from this potentially destructive-and-certainly mentally unstable-development. It would be stupid to encourage hallucinations.

But his voice was fading. I took another step forward, testing. “Bella, turn around,” he growled. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

TYPES OF FICTION

short stories novels novellas folk tales

NONFICTIONNONFICTION

2. Writing that tells about real people, places, and events is called nonfiction. There are two main types of nonfiction. Literary nonfiction reads much like fiction, except that the characters, setting, and plot are real rather than imaginary. Its purpose is usually to entertain or express opinions or feelings. Literary nonfiction includes autobiographies, biographies, and essays.

NONFICTION

Informative nonfiction provides factual information. Its main purpose is to inform or explain. Examples include: newspaper and magazine articles, textbooks, encyclopedia articles.

NONFICTIONEXAMPLE:April 4, 1968: The Assassination of Marin Luther King Jr. After a day spent planning a series of protest marches to support a strike

by predominantly black garbage collectors in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Martin Luther King, America’s foremost proponent of civil rights, strolled onto the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel and chatted with his co-workers. Then, from a window of the rooming house across the street, came a single shot…

TYPES OF NONFICTION

autobiographies/biography personal narrative/autobiographical essays news articles reference article speeches technical articles

DRAMA (PLAY)

A drama or play is a form of literature meant to be performed before an audience. Dramas for stage are also called theatre. In a drama, the story is presented through the dialogue and the actions of the characters. The written form of a drama is known as a script. A script usually includes dialogue, a cast of characters, and stage directions that give specific instruction about performing the play.

DRAMA

Two important kinds of drama are comedy and tragedy. A comedy is light and humorous; a tragedy ends in disaster – most often death – for the main character and often for other important characters as well.

DRAMA

EXAMPLE:Azaz: Don’t be ridiculous. (To audience, as if leading a cheer.)

Let’s hear it for words!Mathemagician: (To audience, in the same manner.) Cast your

vote for numbers!Azaz: A,B,C’S!Mathemagician: 1,2,3,’S! (A fanfare is heard.)

TYPES OF DRAMA

comedies tragedies historical dramas radio plays

POETRY

Poetry is a type of literature in which ideas, images, and feelings are expressed in few words. Most poetry is written in lines, which may be grouped in stanzas. Poets carefully select words for their sound and meanings, combining the words in imaginative ways to present feelings, pictures, experiences, and themes vividly. In poetry, the images appeal to readers’ senses, as do elements of sound, such as alliteration, rhythm, and rhyme.

POETRYEXAMPLE by Shel Silverstein

TYPES OF POETRY

odes limericks narrative poems

Media

5. Communication that reaches many people.Examples: TV shows Radio Advertising Websites