Genres

A mystery is a suspenseful story about a puzzling event that is not solved until the end of the story. The characters are usually fictional but they behave in realistic ways. A mystery may have a detective or a spy as a main character. Clues are used by characters to find a solution to the mystery.

A biography is the story of a real person's life that is written by another person. The person in the biography can be dead or alive. The author describes how the person affected others.

Autobiography
Autobiography is when a person writes the story of his or her own life.

**Folktales**
Folktales are stories passed down by word of mouth and often have a message.

A fantasy is a fictional story that includes elements that are impossible, such as talking animals or magic.

Poetry is a verse written to inspire thought. Poetry may or may not rhyme.

Fables are short stories with animal characters that act like humans. There is a lesson or moral to be learned from each story.

Myths take place before people were on earth. They try to explain things.

In realistic fiction, characters behave in realistic ways. There is usually a problem or conflict to be solved. The setting is in modern times.

Historical fiction is a story that is not true, with real and invented characters that takes place during a historical time. Real events from history are mixed with fictional events. Characters may speak in a way that represents the time period.

Science fiction are stories that blend futuristic technology with scientific fact and fiction. The characters are fictional. A problem is usually solved using science.

These books provide true facts and information about different subjects. They may include charts and graphs.

Folklore
The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth.

The characters are make believe. There may be magic. They often begin with "Once upon a time" and end with "they lived happily ever after." Good usually versus evil.

Tall Tales
Humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance.

These books provide true facts and information. Some examples include: dictionary, almanac, atlas, thesaurus, and encyclopedia.

=Literary Genres=

Drama
S tories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

Fable
Narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale.

**Fairy Tale**
Story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children.

**Fantasy**
Fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality.

**Fiction**
Narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.

**Fiction in Verse**
Full-length novels with plot, subplot(s), theme(s), major and minor characters, in which the narrative is presented in (usually blank) verse form.

**Folklore**
The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth.

**Historical Fiction**
Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.

**Horror**
Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader.

**Humor**
Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain; but can be contained in all genres

**Legend**
Story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, which has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material.

**Mystery**
Fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.

**Mythology**
Legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods.

**Poetry**
Verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses.

**Realistic Fiction**
Story that can actually happen and is true to life.

**Science Fiction**
Story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets.

**Short Story**
Fiction of such brevity that it supports no subplots.

**Tall Tale**
Humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance.

**Biography/Autobiography**
Narrative of a person's life, a true story about a real person.

**Essay**
A short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point.

**Narrative Nonfiction**
Factual information presented in a format which tells a story.

**Nonfiction**
Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject.

**Speech**
Public address or discourse.