Forms of Fiction
(Different Genres)
Objective
 6th Grade Standard
 LRA 3.1 – Identify the forms of fiction and describe the
major characteristics of each form.
 Learning Objective:
We will identify the forms of fiction
and describe the characteristics of
each form.
Check for Understanding
What are we going to do today?
What are we going to identify?
What are we going to describe?
Prior Knowledge
Fiction:
Writing that is made up; it
usually
refers to short stories and novels.
Fictional stories normally contain a
lesson, message, or theme about life.
They also contain a plot, or sequence
of events, characters, a setting, a
problem, and a resolution.
Concept development
Prior Knowledge
Non-fiction:
Writing that deals with real
people, events, and places
without changing any facts.
Forms of Fiction
 Myths:
A story involving gods, heroes, and
other superhuman beings.
Myths often address very basic
questions: Where does fire come
from? What makes the season
change? Example: Zeus
Forms of Fiction
 Legends:
 A story believed to have a historical basis
that has been passed down from one
generation to the next.
 As these stories are told and retold, they
often become less and less accurate.
They become exaggerated tales.
Examples: Robin Hood and La Llorona
Forms of Fiction
Characteristics of Adventure
Stories that contain a plot with
an exciting undertaking involving
risk and physical danger as its
main theme.
Forms of Fiction
Characteristics of Mystery
Fictional stories, usually realistic,
about a mysterious event which is not
explained or a crime that is not solved
until the end of the story to keep the
reader in suspense.
Forms of Fiction
Characteristics of Fantasy
Fiction that contains elements
that are NOT realistic, such as
talking animals, magical powers,
etc. Make-believe is what this
genre is all about.
Forms of Fiction
Characteristics of Science
Fiction
Stories which include futuristic
technology; a blend of scientific
 fact and fictional elements.
Forms of Fiction
Characteristics of Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction consists of stories that tell about
situations occurring in the real world. There can be no
magic or fantasy involved in the plot, although there may
be very unusual events occurring or even exaggerated
characters. The events in the story did not truly happen,
but they could happen.
Example:
In the book Holes, there are events that may
seem farfetched such as a boy being sent away
to a camp to dig holes all day. However, based on
the laws of nature and the world as we know
them, it could take place and therefore is included
in the realistic fiction genre.
Concept development
Forms of Fiction
Characteristics of Historical Fiction:
Stories which take place in a particular
time period in the past and include facts
about the time period. Often the basic
setting is real, but the characters are
fictional.
 Example:
Fifteen-year-old Frank Kovacs, a Polish
immigrant working in the coal mines of
eastern Pennsylvania, begins a
correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt
after he assumes the presidency on
September 14, 1901.
Check for Understanding
 Name one form of fiction.
 What is realistic fiction?
 What is historical fiction?
 What is the difference between realistic fiction
and fantasy?
Importance
Why is it important to know the forms of
fiction?
It gives readers deeper meaning of text.
When you go to a bookstore or library,
popular titles will be organized by genre.
______________________________
______________________________
Skill Development:
1. Read the text.
2. Ask yourself, “ What are the
characteristics of fiction found in this
text?”
3. Ask yourself, “What form of fiction would
this be considered?”
Guided Practice:
After his mother left, Willie stood for a long
while in the hallway. The empty apartment felt
like a cave that lay deep below the earth. His
father would be home soon, so he walked
towards the kitchen to start his chores.
What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text?
What form of fiction would this passage be classified as?
a. Historical Fiction
b. Fantasy
c. Realistic Fiction
d. Science Fiction
Guided Practice
Ten year old Annemarie Johansen and her
best friend Ellen Rosen often think about life
before the war. But it's now 1943 and their life
in Copenhagen is filled with school, food
shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in
their town.
What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text?
What form of fiction would this passage be classified as?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Historical Fiction
Fantasy
Realistic Fiction
Science Fiction
Guided Practice
A young boy’s world gets turned upside down on his
11th birthday. A giant informs him that he is really a
wizard, and will soon be attending Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also learns that his parents
were killed by an evil wizard.
What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text?
What form of fiction would this passage be classified as?
a. Historical Fiction
b. Fantasy
c. Realistic Fiction
d. Science Fiction
Guided Practice:
“Not mine, not mine,” but she was already walking
towards me. As I closed my eyes, she sat the old, ugly
sweater on my desk. I tried to remember that tonight
my papa would be bringing me a cake and everyone
will sing Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy
Birthday to me.
What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text?
What form of fiction would this passage be classified as?
a. Historical Fiction
b. Fantasy
c. Realistic Fiction
d. Science Fiction
Guided Practice
“Good morning,” I began. “In science you’ve been
studying the human ear. This is why Mrs. Jones
asked me to speak to you about technology that
helps deaf people.”
What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text?
What form of fiction would this passage be classified as?
a.Historical Fiction
b.Fantasy
c.Realistic Fiction
d.Science Fiction
Closure:
 What are the forms of fiction?
 Why is it important to know the forms of fiction?
 Which paragraph is an example of fantasy?
A. “Welcome to the land of Trogs,” the creature said in perfect
English. Although the greeting was friendly, the explorers
trembled.
B. Manuel kicked through the fresh-fallen leaves. When he got
to school, he realized he had forgotten his math workbook. If
the teacher found out, he would have to stay after school.
 Why? How can you tell?
Skill development
Forms of Fiction
 Folktales – stories that have simple characters
who may be people, animals, or made-up
creatures.
 Folktales often tell something about the culture
that originated them and teach a simple life
lesson.
 Folktales are often passed from one person to
another by word of mouth.
Example: Paul Bunyon
Forms of Fiction
Play/Drama – a story that is written for a
performance in front of an audience. The
parts of the characters are acted out on a
stage.
The story is told through the character’s
actions and dialogue.
A play is divided into acts and scenes, not
chapters.
Fairy Tale
Set in the distant past. It often has an opening
phrase such as “One upon a time”, or “ A long,
long time ago”, or “One day long ago.
It often has a very difficult problem to solve.
Characters often have magical powers, that can
grant wishes. Often includes make believe
characters such as dragons and giants.
Has a happy ending in which good wins over
evil.