Literary Genres
By Helen Morris
Literature
Definition: the entire body of
writings of any specific
language, period, people,
etc.
Literary Genres
Definition: categories used to
group different types of
literary work, such as nonfiction, fiction, drama, and
poetry.
Poetry
Poetry is a compact,
imaginative, and artistic
writing. It relies strongly
on imagery and rhythm.
Figurative language, sensory
language, and sound
devices are techniques used
to create tone and imagery.
Drama
A story written with action and
dialogue to be performed
theatrically. Drama uses the same
plot elements as fiction.
Drama is written in scenes and acts.
The script does not put dialogue
in quotations; the characters’
names are written next to their
words. Bracketed stage directions
are included to tell the actors
where do move on the stage and
how to speak.
Non-Fiction
Writing that deals only with real
people, events, or ideas
Informational Text
These types texts provide
information that is factual.
Nothing is make-believe in
these types of materials.
Other examples of this type of
genre would be . . .
Essays: brief written works about a
particular subject
Procedural Texts:
how to complete a task,
solve a problem, or perform
procedures
Speeches:
works delivered orally to an
audience
Literary Non-Fiction
Writing that gives a narrator’s
account of a true story about
a real person.
Literary Non-Fiction
Biographies: A true account of
a person's life written,
composed, or produced by
another.
Autobiographies: The
biography of a person
written by that person.
Memoirs and Personal Narratives:
first person accounts that
describe memories about
specific events
Fiction
In this type of work, the author
can make up the whole entire
story. Authors can also choose to
include factual information in a
made-up story.
The author can create wizards
casting magic spells or a12 year
old girl who has moved to a new
school.
Fiction
Plot, exposition (setting,
characters, conflict, background
information), the protagonist(s),
the antagonist(s), rising action,
climax, falling action,
denouement (resolution), and
theme are the structural bones
of fictional compositions.
There are sub-genres of Fiction . .
Different Types of Fiction
Historical Fiction: takes the reader
back to a particular time period. The
characters may interact with actual
historical characters and events, but
usually, the main character is not
based on a real person and the plot is
not true.
Realistic Fiction: usually presents a
situations and events that could be
from anybody’s life. Real life topics
such as family situations, peer
relationships, cultural differences, are
explored.
Mystery: either a crime has been
committed and the reader wants
to try to figure out “whodunit” or a
problem is presented that needs a
solution by finding clues. A great
deal of suspense and intrigue
abounds.
Science Fiction: a type of futuristic
fantasy. It uses scientific facts and
ethical questions about current
scientific trends imagined in the
future. The author writes an
adventure exploring the unknown
and the wonder of discovering
new worlds and people.
Fantasy: a magical world where
anything is possible. There are
many types of fantasy, from
fables to fairy tales to myths to
alternative magical worlds. They
can include supernatural beings,
talking animals, sorcery, and oldfashioned weapons. The major
conflict is good versus evil.
Traditional Literature: Timeless
literature enjoyed over generations
with universal appeal and
meaning.
Classical literature includes wellknown novels and folktales.
Folktales include fables, myths, fairy
tales, legends, and tall tales.
What category of fiction would
you put your favorite story in?
Why?
Science
Fiction