Transcription
Genre and SubgenreCategories of Writing
Genre CategoryAll writing falls into a category or genre.We will use 5 main genresand 15 subgenres.
ction eWritingPoetryFairy TaleLegendTall hFable
5 Main Genres1.2.3.4.5.Nonfiction: writing that is trueFiction: imaginative or made up writingFolklore: stories once passed down orallyDrama: a play or scriptPoetry: writing concerned with the beautyof language
Nonfiction Subgenres Persuasive Writing: tries to influence thereader Informational Writing: explains something Autobiography: life story written by oneself Biography: Writing about someone else’s lifeAuto SelfLatin RootsBio LifeGraphy Writing
Fiction Subgenres Historical Fiction: set in the past andbased on real people and/or events Science Fiction: has aliens, robots,futuristic technology and/or space ships Realistic Fiction: has no elements offantasy; could be true but isn’t Fantasy: has monsters, magic, orcharacters with superpowers
Folklore SubgenresFolklore/Folktales usually has an“unknown” author or will be “retold” or“adapted” by the author. Fable: short story with personifiedanimals and a moralPersonified: given the traits of peopleMoral: lesson or message of a fable Myth: has gods/goddesses and usuallyaccounts for the creation of something
Folklore Subgenres (continued) Tall TaleSet in the Wild West, the American frontierMain characters skills/size/strength isgreatly exaggeratedExaggeration is humorousLegendBased on a real person or placeFacts are stretched beyond nonfictionExaggerated in a serious way
Folklore Subgenres (continued)Fairytale: has magic and/or talking animals. Often starts with “Once upon a time ”Like fantasy but much olderOften has a human main characterFables also have talking animals, but fablesare VERY short
What are Dramas?Stories written in script form.ExampleTeacher: Everyone take notes.Student A: I don’t have a pen.Drama SubgenresComedy: has a happy ending.Tragedy: ends in death and sadness.
ReviewNonfiction: persuasive writing, informationalwriting, autobiography, and biographyFiction: historical fiction, science fiction,realistic fiction, and fantasyFolklore: myth, legend, tall tale, fairy tale,and fableDrama: comedy and tragedyPoetry: many subgenres we will not study
PracticeYou will be graded on participation andcompletion, not on accuracy.1.On a separate sheet of paper, number onethrough ten.2.I will describe a piece of writing.3.You will write the genre and subgenre.4. DO NOT SHARE ANSWERS!
1“Dogs and Cats” by Bob BradyA five paragraph essay where thestudent Bob Brady compares and contrastsdogs and cats. He provides a lot ofinformation about both.Write the genre and subgenre on your paper.
2Science TextbookThis science textbook contains much ofthe human knowledge of Earth and theuniverse.Write the genre and subgenre on your paper.
3As I Was Saying by Augustus GlutenMr. Gluten writes the story of hishumble origins as a child in Germany tohis meteoric rise to power in the candyindustry.Write the genre and subgenre on your paper.
4They Came from the Sun by Tom MitchellThe story of a race of aliens that cometo enslave the residents of Earth with theiradvanced weaponry. Only one teachercan stop them, but is it too late?Write the genre and subgenre on your paper.
5“The Ant & The Grasshopper” Adapted byChad PeplumThe really short story of an Ant who workshard all summer to prepare for winter and aGrasshopper who just plays. Winter comesand the Grasshopper freezes to death. Themoral is “prepare today for tomorrow’sneeds.”
6Bag Lunch by Dillard PerkinsIt is the fictional story of two youngAfrican American girls living in Greensboro,N.C. in 1960. One day while waiting to buyfood at a Woolworth's lunch counter, thegirls find themselves at a significantcrossroads in American history.
7“Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind” retoldby Mitch ColwellSally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind was thetoughest girl in the Wild West. She flosseswith rattlesnakes and dries her clothes in atornado. She’s tougher than a ten-yearold steak. Read about her extraordinaryadventures in this humorous text.
8“Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine!” By SashaMarshIn this essay, Marsh tries to convincepeople to do small things to help theenvironment. She gives readers manysuggestions on how to live more ecofriendly and challenges readers to makethe world a better place for futuregenerations through small contributions.
9Eric Vaser and the Educator’s Rock by J.P.TumblinThis is the first book in the Eric Vaserseries. Eric goes to mage school andbecomes a star student. He learns to playpencetrench, a football like game playedon flying platforms, and he fights to stop agrowing evil within the school that will testhis newfound magic powers.
10Journal of a Lumpy Kid by Ken JiffyIn his first year of middle school, HankGriffin, the main character of this storydeals with “cooties,” older bullies, runningfor a class election, and other problemsthat many middle school students face.
Answers1. Nonfiction ; Informational Writing2. Nonfiction ; Informational Writing3. Nonfiction ; Autobiography4. Fiction ; Science Fiction5. Folktale ; Fable6. Fiction ; Historical Fiction7. Folktale ; Tall Tale8. Nonfiction ; Persuasive Essay9. Fiction ; Fantasy10. Fiction ; Realistic Fiction
Fiction Subgenres Historical Fiction: set in the past and based on real people and/or events Science Fiction: has aliens, robots, futuristic technology and/or space ships Realistic Fiction: has no elements of fantasy; could be true but isn’t Fantasy
