Genres of Fiction
G5.2R.C1.PO9
Objective
• I can identify various genres of fiction.
Essential Questions
• What is Science Fiction? How is it
different from Historical & Realistic
Fiction?
• What is Historical Fiction? How is it
different from Science & Realistic
Fiction?
• What is Realistic Fiction? How is it
different from Science & Historical
Fiction?
Essential Questions,
Continued
• What is Adventure? How is it different
from Mystery & Fantasy?
• What is Mystery? How is it different
from Adventure & Fantasy?
• What is Fantasy? How is it different
from Adventure & Mystery?
Essential Questions,
Continued
• What is a Myth? How is it different from
a legend?
• What is a Legend? How is it different
from a Myth?
Essential Questions,
Continued
• What is a Fable? How is it different from
a Tall Tale & a Fairy Tale?
• What is a Tall Tale? How is it different
from a Fable & a Fairy Tale?
• What is a Fairy Tale? How is it different
from a Fable & a Tall Tale?
Science Fiction
• Science Fiction is a genre that often
involves guesses about current or
future science or technology.
Science Fiction, Continued
• Science Fiction can include:
• A setting in the future
• A setting in outer space or involving
aliens
• Stories that involve technology or
scientific principles that contradict the
laws of nature
• Stories that involve discovery of new
scientific principles or new technology
Science Fiction, Continued
• Science fiction differs from Fantasy in
that its imaginary elements are largely
possible within scientific principles.
• Examples of Science Fiction works
include Star Trek, Star Wars, and A
Wrinkle in Time
Historical Fiction
• Historical Fiction is a story that is set in
the past and portrays people, places
and events that did or could have
happened.
• Historical Fiction includes a real time
and place in the past, and often real
historical figures who mingle with
fictional characters living during a
notable period in history.
Historical Fiction,
Continued
• Historical Fiction differs from Realistic
Fiction and Science Fiction in that it is
set in the past during a notable period
or event in history.
• Examples of Historical Fiction include
Johnny Tremain, Number the Stars, and
Sarah, Plain and Tall.
Realistic Fiction
• Realistic Fiction tells about characters
and events that are like people and
events in real life.
• Realistic Fiction includes characters
that have feelings that real people have,
and a setting that is familiar to most.
Realistic Fiction, Continued
• Realistic Fiction differs from Historical &
Science Fiction in that all elements of
the story are possible, and the story is
set in the present.
• Examples include No Talking, The Best
School Year Ever, and The Last Holiday
Concert.
Adventure
• Stories often involve outdoors, survival,
and exciting journeys to interesting
places
• Characters face challenges in order to
triumph over difficult situations.
Adventure, Continued
• Adventure is different from Mystery and
Fantasy because it focuses on the
actions of the hero.
• Examples include Hatchet, Julie of the
Wolves, Danger in the Desert.
Mystery
• Story revolves around a problem, crime
or mystery to be solved using clues
• Story is suspenseful
• Characters are detectives, suspects
and sometimes both
Mystery, Continued
• Mystery is different from Adventure and
Fantasy because it has a crime, clues,
suspects, detectives and a mystery to
be solved.
• Examples include The Westing Game,
and Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew series
Fantasy
• Story events could not really happen in
real life
• Stories involve magic, wizards and
mythical characters
Fantasy, Continued
• Fantasy is different from Adventure and
Mystery because it contains magic
and/or mythical characters and settings.
• Examples include the Harry Potter
series, the Lord of the Rings series,
Eragon
Myth
• A traditional story of gods or heroes
which tries to explain people, things or
events.
• Tries to explain elements of nature or
life.
• Has gods, goddesses and unusual
creatures.
Myth, Continued
• Myths are different from legends
because myths are stories that were
made up to explain the world.
• Examples include Apollo, god of the
Sun, Medusa and Hercules
Legend
• A legend is an exaggerated version of a
true story.
• Stories were originally passed down
orally, then eventually written down
Legend, Continued
• Legends are different from myths
because legends come from true
stories that have been exaggerated
over time.
• Examples include Robin Hood, King
Arthur & Excalibur
Fable
• A fable is a short story designed to
teach a lesson.
• Usually contains talking animals
• Has a moral at the end.
Fable, Continued
• Fables are different from Fairy Tales
and Tall Tales because they contain
talking animals and lessons.
• Examples include The Tortoise & the
Hare, The Ant & the Grasshopper
Fairy Tales
• A Fairy Tale is a story that includes
magical creatures or actions.
• Often begins with “Once Upon a Time”
and ends with “happily ever after.”
• Setting often in a town, castle or forest.
• Good is usually rewarded and evil is
punished.
Fairy Tale, Continued
• A Fairy Tale is different from a Fable
and Tall Tale because it includes magic.
• Examples include Cinderella, Little Red
Riding Hood, Snow White
Tall Tale
• A Tall Tale is a story with unbelievable
elements, told as if it was true and
factual.
• May include a larger than life character
with a specific job.
• Exaggerated details that describe
things as greater than they are.
Tall Tale, Continued
• Tall tales differ from Fables and Fairy
Tales because they are exaggerated
stories that are based on the truth.
• Examples include Pecos Bill, Paul
Bunyan, and Johnny Appleseed.
Folktale
• A folktale is passed down orally
• Usually from another culture
• Has a moral at the end of the story
• Examples include Sees Behind Trees,
The Rough-Faced Girl, The Boy Who
Cried Wolf.