Irene C. Fountas & Gay Su Pinnell
Genre
Quick Guide
GRADES K–8 +
A Companion to
Genre Study: Teaching with Fiction and Nonfiction Books
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Contents
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NONFICTION 37
FICTION 3
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Special Types and Elements of Fiction Texts 5
Realism 7
Contemporary Realistic Fiction 9
Historical Fiction 11
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Fantasy 13
Traditional Literature 15
Folktales 17
Fairy Tales 19
Fables 21
Legends, Epics, and Ballads 23
Myths 25
Modern Fantasy 27
Animal Fantasy 29
Low and High Fantasy 31
Science Fiction 35
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Categories of and Structural
Patterns in Nonfiction Texts 39
Biography 41
Autobiography 43
Memoir 45
Narrative Nonfiction 47
Expository Nonfiction 49
Procedural Texts 51
Persuasive Texts 53
Hybrid Texts 55
POETRY 57
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Elements of Poetry and Types of Poetry 59
GLOSSARY 61
Quark Quick Guide_Layout 1 8/8/12 6:38 PM Page 3
FICTION
FICTION
Fiction is invented, imaginative prose or poetry. Fiction texts are
usually narrative and can be organized into the categories of
realism and fantasy. Along with nonfiction, fiction is one of two
broader genres of literature.
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Fiction Texts
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Realism
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Realistic
Fiction
Historical
Fiction
Fantasy
Traditional
Literature:
Modern
Fantasy:
Folktales
Animal
Fantasy
Fairy Tales
Fables
Legends/
Epics/
Ballads
Myths
Low
Fantasy
High
Fantasy
Science
Fiction
3
FICTION: Fantasy
13
Fantasy
Fantasy is a type of writing that depicts characters, places, and
events that do not and could not exist in the real world. Fantasy
includes traditional literature (folktales, fairy tales, fables, legends,
epics, ballads, myths), and modern fantasy (animal fantasy, low
fantasy, high fantasy, and science fiction).
Fiction Texts
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COMMON MOTIFS IN FANTASY
Motif
Definition
Struggle between
good and evil
Distinguishable good and evil sides in
the basic conflict around which the
story is built
Magic
Secondary or
alternative worlds
Hero’s quest
Special character
types
Fantastic or
magical objects
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Realism
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Characters or objects that possess
supernatural powers
An established and unusual setting
where magical events are believable
A heroic character who is called to
complete a mission
Characters that have unusual traits
and powers
Props that are imbued with magic and
help characters achieve their missions
Realistic
Fiction
Historical
Fiction
Fantasy
Traditional
Literature:
Modern
Fantasy:
Folktales
Animal
Fantasy
Fairy Tales
Fables
Legends/
Epics/
Ballads
Myths
Low
Fantasy
High
Fantasy
Science
Fiction
NONFICTION: Narrative Nonfiction
Narrative Nonfiction
NARRATIVE NONFICTION REQUIRES
READERS TO:
Narrative nonfiction texts provide factual information about a
particular topic in narrative style and chronological structure.
Characteristics of Narrative Nonfiction
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Provides factual information about a topic
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Presents information in the form of a story
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Uses chronological text structure
Often:
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Has characters and setting
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Uses literary language
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Conveys a larger message
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Analyze texts and check documentation.
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Evaluate texts for bias.
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Distinguish between fact and opinion.
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Identify the main idea and supporting
details.
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Understand how facts are used to support
generalizations.
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Recognize the author’s purpose or message.
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Identify and use the organizational structure
of the text.
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Includes organizational tools (table of contents, headings, index,
glossary, pronunciation guide, appendices)
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Includes graphic features that support or enhance the text
(photographs, illustrations, captions, charts, diagrams, tables and
graphs, timelines)
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NARRATIVE NONFICTION
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Follow sequence of events and descriptions.
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Integrate information from a variety of
sources.
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Use tools such as headings, illustrations,
maps, captions, diagrams, labels, and
timelines.
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Recognize aspects of the writer’s craft.
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Recognize literary qualities.
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