RL: Fiction Genre Notes





What is genre?
o Genre: types or categories of art or entertainment; this includes books, movies, and video
games.
o What is the purpose of understanding genre?
 Common terms
 Helps when reading
How to Identify Genre
o The title
o Pictures
o Summary on back or inside cover
o Introduction/forward
o Quotes on cover
o Look it up online
Five Major Genres
o Fiction
o Non-Fiction
o Folktale
o Drama
o Poetry
Fiction Genres
o Fiction refers to stories that are imagined or made-up. (Remember: fiction = fake.)
o The main fiction genres are:
 Historical Fiction
 Realistic Fiction
 Science Fiction
 Mystery
 Fantasy
 Adventure
HISTORICAL FICTION
o Historical Fiction - Description
 Historical fiction stories take place in a place and time in the past.
 While the time and place were real, some characters and events will be fictional.
 Historical contexts could be the Middle Ages, World War II, American Revolution, Civil
War, Early America, Ancient Greece, etc.
 This genre appeals to readers who also enjoy history.
o Historical Fiction - Reading Tips
 When reading historical fiction, it’s important to understand the context; research the
time period involved.
 Read the summary on the back, the author’s notes, and any forward or introduction.
 Think about how the truths of this time are similar to today’s world.
 Compare and contrast the fictional story with the historical events and facts.
o Historical Fiction - Examples
 Examples:
 Number the Stars
 Titanic
 Assassin’s Creed
 Think of your own example of an historical fiction story and write it on your Post It.
o Historical Fiction Questions
 Describe historical fiction.
 What are some tips for reading historical fiction?

REALISTIC FICTION
o Realistic Fiction - Description
 Realistic fiction are stories that could really take place in the present.
 Characters are believable and the outcomes make sense.
 Realistic fiction features serious, personal themes: identity, sexuality, bullying, making
friends, problems with parents, spirituality, etc.
 This genre appeals to readers who want to “find themselves” in stories.
o Realistic Fiction – Reading Tips
 Attempt to relate and connect to the characters and events in realistic fiction since it
could really happen. How is it like your own life?
 Question the choices characters make and compare them to what you would do. Journal
your responses.
o Realistic Fiction - Examples
 Examples:
 Diary of a Wimpy Kid
 Mean Girls
 NCAA Football
 Think of your own example of a realistic fiction story and write it on your Post It.
o Realistic Fiction Questions
 Describe realistic fiction.
 What are some reading tips for realistic fiction?
 How is realistic fiction different than historical fiction?
 Which do you think would be harder to read? Why?
 Which would be harder to write? Why?

SCIENCE FICTION
o Science Fiction - Description
 Science fiction deals with human responses to changes in science and technology.

Science fiction could include non-human characters, as well as other worldly settings
(robots, aliens, outer space).
 Science fiction works include apocalyptic settings (end of the world or following
disaster) and dystopias (a place where life is dreadful and individuals are terrorized).
 This genre appeals to readers who like to escape to different and interesting worlds.
o Science Fiction – Reading Tips
 When reading science fiction, picturing the story in your head is important.
 Expect characters and places in science fiction to be unfamiliar. Be prepared to think out
of the box and use context to figure out unknown terms.
 Good science fiction will make scientific sense, but try not to over-think it.
 Like most genres, the more you read, the more you will understand.
o Science Fiction - Examples
 Examples:
 The Giver
 Star Wars
 The Hunger Games
 Left for Dead
 Think of your own example of a science fiction story and write it on your Post It.
o Science Fiction Questions
 Describe science fiction.
 What are some reading tips for science fiction?
 Why is science fiction such a difficult genre to read?

FANTASY
o Fantasy - Description
 Fantasy fiction stories are highly imaginative and include magic and enchantments.
 Fantasy is different than science fiction because science couldn’t explain what happens.
 Fantasy often features a conflict between good and evil.
 Like science fiction, readers that enjoy fantasy often enjoy a full escape from reality.
o Fantasy – Reading Tips
 Like science fiction, picturing the story in your head is important.
 Pay special attention to characters and their personalities; often in fantasy, we are to
learn from them.
 Use background knowledge to understand common fantasy stereotypes: wizards,
princesses, dragons, witches, etc.
o Fantasy - Examples
 Examples:
 Twilight
 Harry Potter
 Skyrim
 Think of your own example of a fantasy story and write it on your Post It.
o Fantasy Questions





Describe fantasy fiction.
Name some reading tips for fantasy fiction.
How are science fiction and fantasy alike?
How are they different?
Why do people like science fiction and fantasy?

MYSTERY
o Mystery - Description
 Mysteries are stories that have a real setting and a problem to be solved that includes
clues, distractions, and an answer to the problem.
 Mystery often goes together with thrillers and horror.
 Readers that enjoy mystery often enjoy solving problems or like a lot of excitement.
o Mystery – Reading Tips
 Take notes on clues and characters.
 Stop and question what is happening.
 Make educated guesses and predictions while you read; always try to figure out the end
before it’s revealed.
o Mystery - Examples
 Examples:
 The Face on the Milk Carton
 Sherlock Holmes
 L.A. Noir
 Alan Wake
 Think of your own example of a mystery story and write it on your Post It.
o Mystery Questions
 Describe the mystery genre.
 What are some reading tips for mysteries?
 What other fiction genre is mystery most like?
 How could mystery be like fantasy?

ADVENTURE
o Adventure Fiction
 Adventure stories are realistic fiction stories that involve physical danger.
 The setting of adventure fiction is often outdoors and focuses on the theme of survival
in the wild.
 The main conflict will be man versus nature.
 Adventure stories appeal to people who like seemingly impossible challenges or enjoy
the outdoors.
o Adventure Fiction – Reading Tips
 You may never be in these situations, but you can learn from the traits of the
characters: bravery, determination, passion for life, hope, etc.
o Adventure Questions
 Describe adventure fiction.
 How are adventure stories similar to realistic fiction?
 How are they different?
o Adventure Fiction - Examples
 Examples:
 Hatchet
 Castaway
 Uncharted
 Think of your own example of an adventure fiction story and write it on your Post It.

Fiction Genre Questions
o What is your favorite fiction genre? Why?
o What does it mean for a work to be fiction?
o Can you think of other fiction genres we haven’t talked about?
o Romance, Humor, Sports
o Explain how it’s possible for books to fit into more than one genre.