Understanding Genres Grades 3-5
By Mrs. Paula McMullen Library Teacher Norwood Public Schools What is a genre?
A genre is a type of writing that is different than other types of writing.
Two major genres are: fiction and nonfiction.
Realistic, mystery, fantasy, historical and science fiction are smaller genres of fiction books.
Biography, poetry, drama and traditional literature are smaller genres.
Autobiographies, memoirs and collective biographies are special biography books. Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 2 Fiction Genre
Fiction books are imaginative stories created by authors.
Stories have beginning, middle and end.
Plots made up of series of events.
Interesting characters and problems.
Problems resolved by end of story.
Provide thought-provoking themes.
Can be divided into smaller genres including: realistic, mystery, fantasy, historical and science fiction.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 3 Other Fiction Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 4 Realistic Fiction Genre Realistic fiction is smaller genre of fiction books. Characters behave in believable ways. Settings are in recognizable places and times. Problems are believable. Descriptions are vivid. Dialogue is accurate.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 5 Other Realistic Fiction Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 6 Mystery Fiction Genre
Mystery is smaller genre of fiction books. Same characteristics as realistic fiction but: Characters all involved in solving puzzle. Each event is linked to solving the mystery. Writer drops clues. End with believable conclusion.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 7 Other Mysteries
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 8 Fantasy Fiction Genre
Fantasy is smaller genre of fiction books. Contain elements that are not realistic. Major events could not happen in real life. Characters use magic or other impossible strategies.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 9 Other Fantasy Fiction Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 10 Science Fiction Genre
Science fiction is smaller genre of fiction books. Based on impact of actual or imagined science. Setting is the future or on other planets. Explores advanced space travel or extraterrestrial beings.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 11 Other Science Fiction Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 12 Historical Fiction Genre
Historical fiction is smaller genre of fiction books. Setting (where and when) is important. Stories take place in an identifiable period of the past. Characters may all be fictional or some may have been real. Have authentic problems, description and dialogue.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 13 Other Historical Fiction Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 14 Nonfiction Genre
Nonfiction books are filled with facts and information that teach you something. Subjects are researched by authors. Information organized around topics and main ideas. Have bolded, larger headings. Often provide: contents page, index, glossary. Have helpful illustrations: photographs, drawings, diagrams, maps, charts, graphs. Have captions that describe illustrations.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 15 Other Nonfiction Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 16 Biography Genre
Biography books tell about a real person, past or present.
Researched by author.
Based on facts.
Include major influences in person’s life (people, places, and events).
Often include an obstacle, or hardship, that is overcome.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 17 Other Biographies
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 18 Autobiography Books
Autobiography is special kind of biography where:
Author writes about himself.
True account of that person’s life.
Author reveals his feelings and reactions to events and experiences in his life.
Written in first person.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 19 Other Autobiographies
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 20 Memoir
Like autobiography, author writes about himself.
Written in first person.
Often focuses on one aspect of that person’s life rather than whole life.
May focus on a period of time in his life.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 21 Other Memoirs
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 22 Collective Biography Books
Collective biography has same characteristics as individual biography books but –
Contain stories of more than one person’s life.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 23 Other Collective Biographies
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 24 Poetry Genre
In poetry, words chosen carefully. Often written in lines. May or may not rhyme. Often has rhythm and repetition. Imagery is important feature. Sound and meaning of words are combined to express feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Types include: acrostic, Metaphor, simile and cinquain, limerick, free personification create images. verse, haiku, concrete. Alliteration and onomatopoeia create sounds. Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 25 Other Poetry Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 26 Traditional Literature Genre
Traditional literature includes: riddles, rhymes, folktales, myths and legends. Passed down orally – no known authors. Set in distant past. Have identifiable motifs: special numbers, magical creatures or objects, quests, enchantments. Share moral, lesson, or belief. Reflect a culture’s values and traditions.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 27 Other Traditional Literature Books
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 28 Drama Genre
Written text of stories called “plays.”
Written by playwright.
Written in dramatic speech (dialogue and monologue).
Stage directions included.
Written for performance on stage.
Emotions, characterization and events expressed through dialogue and action.
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 29 Other Plays in Drama Genre
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 30 Remember –
A genre is a type of writing that is different than other types of writing.
Two major genres are: fiction and nonfiction.
Realistic, mystery, fantasy, historical and science fiction are smaller genres of fiction books.
Biography, poetry, drama and traditional literature are smaller, special genres.
Autobiographies, memoirs and collective biographies are special biography books. Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 31 Resources
Huck, Charlotte. Children’s Literature in the Elementary School. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1987. th Sutherland, Zena. Children and Books 8 ed. NY: HarperColllins Publishers, 1991.
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Follett Library Resources http://www.titlewave.com
Kidsdomain Clip Art http://www.kidsdomain.com/clip/
Microsoft Office Clip Art http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/
Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, 9/10/2009 Norwood Public Schools 32