INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Informational text is writing in which data is
organized conceptually, that is, around a central,
or main idea. Sometimes they are called
expository text, is written to inform or persuade.
Informational text characteristics:
 Focuses on a specific subject or controlling
idea
 Organizes facts in a way that helps the
audience learn about the subject.
 Supports the main idea with plenty of facts
 Uses examples, explanations, and
descriptions to clarify ideas that may be new
to the audience
Forms of Informational text:
Textbooks
Newspapers
Magazines
Reference Materials
Essays
Brochures
Directions
Procedures
Editorials
Catalogs
SCIENCE FICTION
Science fiction is a story based on real or
imagined scientific developments.
Science fiction characteristics:
 Scientific facts and Theories—The story is
based on something known to be true or
widely accepted among scientists today.
 Imagination—Writers use their imagination
to answer the question, "What might happen
if this scientific development grew or was
used in some extraordinary way?"
 Believable or Unusual Characters—
Writers have a skill for creating characters
and plot that develop in an imaginary world.
A good writer will create believable
characters that readers can identify with.
This is especially important in the world of
science fiction, where everything else that's
happening may seem unfamiliar. The author
might also create characters that are
somewhat different from ordinary people.
 Writers think about real issues that we
might have to face in the future.
Examples:
REALISTIC FICTION
Realistic fiction is a story that portrays life as it
really is, with accuracy and honesty. Realistic
fiction comes in two subgenres:
l) Fiction in a modern setting
2) Historical fiction
Realistic fiction characteristics:
 Characters: presents fictional characters
that behave in realistic ways.
 Setting: takes place in modern times; a
recognizable sort of place
 Plot: has a plot that makes sense and that
ends with the solution to the problem.
 Problem to solve: The main characters are
involved in a conflict or dilemma.
Examples:
HISTORICAL FICTION
Historical fiction is stories with make believe
characters and events in real, historical settings.
Historical fiction characteristics:
 Characters: all may be fictional or some
may be real, but they all behave in realistic
ways
 Setting: a definite period in history or a real
historical place
 Plot: a plot that makes sense and ends with
a solution to the problem; real events are
mixed with fictional events
 Problem: the main characters are involved
in a conflict that is realistic for that period in
history
 Description: writer explains historical
information that may be unfamiliar to
readers
 Dialog: the characters' words show their
personalities, move the plot along, and
reflect what people knew and thought about
in those times
Examples:
MYSTERY
Mystery is a story about a mysterious event
which is not explained until the end, so as to
keep the reader in suspense.
Mystery characteristics:
 Characters: all involved in the basic
problem to solve
 Setting: realistic
 Plot: Each major event is linked in steps that
make sense.
 Clues: The writer drops hints that might
help the reader solve the mystery.
 Distractions: Some things in the story are
meant to distract readers to lead them away
from the solution.
 Conclusion: The story ends with a credible,
realistic solution to the mystery.
Examples:
TRADITIONAL LIT/FOLKLORE/FOLK TALES
Folklore is stories told by people who are not
professional writers. These stories change as
people tell and retell them over many
generations.
Folklore characteristics:
 Usually does not have a single author and may
appear in different versions in print
 Features characters who are either "all bad" or "all
good" (stereotypes)
 Has fantastic or unrealistic elements in it (i.e.,
talking animals)
 Usually has an easily recognized lesson or moral
Is set in a vague historical past "long ago"
Forms:
Mythology
Tall Tales
Legends
Fables
Fairy Tales
FANTASY
Fantasy is a story that is set in an imaginary
world.
Fantasy characteristics:
• Contains events and details that could not
occur in real life
• Involves situations that are highly unusual or
impossible
• Combines reality and fantasy—Although the
stories are not completely true, some of the
characters andevents could exist in real life.
• The characters in fantasy can are usually
humanlike characters. Some are believable and
some are incredible! Many fantasy stories
contain talking animals.
Examples:
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Autobiography is the life story of an individual,
written by her or himself. (auto: self; bio: life;
~graph: write)
Autobiography characteristics:
• The main character is the writer.
• Describes major influences (people, events,
places) on the writer
• Recounts key incidents in the writer's life
• Describes interactions between the writer and
significant people in his or her life
Examples:
BIOGRAPHY
A biography is the story of a person's life,
written by another person. (bio: life; graph:
write)
Same characteristics as above (Just write the
definition of Biography)
Examples: