Types of Literature
Genre – the type of
literature, such as a
novel or a short story
Fiction
–
works of
prose that
have
imaginary
elements
 Prose
Nonfiction
writing
that deals
with real
people,
events, and
places.
Short Story

can usually be read in
one sitting.
Generally, a short
story has one main
conflict that involves
the characters, keeps
the story moving, and
makes it interesting
Poetry
 Type
of literature in which
words are chosen and
arranged to create a
certain effect.
Novel
A long work that
tells a complex
story that unfolds
through the
actions, speech,
and thoughts of
the characters.
Drama

Literature in
which plot and
characters are
developed
through
dialogue and
action; in other
words, drama is
literature in play
form.
Epic
A long narrative poem
about the adventures of a
hero whose actions reflect
the ideals and values of a
nation or race.
A
Memoir
form of
autobiographical
writing in which a
person recalls
significant events
in his or her life
Narrative Nonfiction
Nonfiction is writing that tells about real
people, places, or events.
 The information in narrative nonfiction is
organized in chronological order.
 Three types of narrative nonfiction are
biography, autobiography, and certain
kinds of essays.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

The writer’s account of
his or her own life.
Almost always told
from the first person
point-of-view, it
generally focuses on
significant events and
how those events and
people affected him or
her.
BIOGRAPHY
An account of a person’s life
written by another person.
 The writer usually reaches his or
her subject to present accurate
information, and ideally strives
for a balances treatment,
highlighting weaknesses as well
as strengths, failures as well as
achievements.

ESSAY
A brief work of nonfiction that
deals with a single subject.
 In a formal essay, ideas are
developed systematically and
impersonally.
 An informal essay, which is less
rigidly organized and more
personal, often includes humor
and anecdotes.


There are three common types of
essays:
 EXPOSITORY - essays present or
explain information and ideas.
 PERSUASIVE - essays present
arguments and attempt to convince
readers to adopt particular points of
view.
 PERSONAL - essays express
writers’ thoughts and feelings about
subjects.
Elements of Storytelling
 Fiction,
narrative nonfiction,
poetry, or drama includes
some or all of the following
elements of storytelling:
PLOT
 The
sequence of events in
a story.
CONFLICT
A
struggle between
opposing forces.
 The struggle may exist
between people, between
people and nature or
society, or within a
character.
 The
CHARACTERS
people,
animals, or
imaginary
creatures
that take
part in the
action.
SETTING
 The
particular
time and
place in
which the
events
occur.
THEME
 Perception
about life or
human nature that the
writer conveys to the reader.
It is also known as the
lesson learned throughout
the story by the character(s)
or even the reader.
POINT OF VIEW
 Refers
to
the vantage
point from
which the
story is
told.
DIALOGUE
 The
written
conversation
between two
or more
characters.
SUSPENSE

The excitement
or tension that
readers feel as
they get
involved in the
story and
become eager to
know the
outcome.
FORESHADOWING

A writer’s use
of hints or
clues to
indicate
events that
will occur later
in the
narrative.
FLASHBACK

An account of a
conversation, episode, or
event that happened
before the beginning of
the story. It often
interrupts the
chronological flow of a
story to give formation
that can help readers to
understand a character’s
present situation.
IRONY

The contrast
between what
is expected and
what actually
exists or
happens.
CHARACTERIZATION
Refers to the techniques used by
writers to develop characters. A
writer may use any or all of the
following methods:
a) physical description
b) a character may reveal his/her
own thoughts, feelings, or actions
c) the speech, thoughts,
feelings, or actions of other
Characters can be used to
develop a character
d) narrator can make direct
comments about a
character
NARRATOR
the character or
voice that relates
the
 events of the
story to the
reader

PROTAGONIST


The central
character, or hero.
It is always the
main character,
and in most cases,
he or she is the
character with
whom the reader
identifies
ANTAGONIST
A
character who opposes the
main character. Sometimes,
however, this is a force of
nature or a set of
circumstances against which
the main character is pitted.
MOOD
 The
feeling, or atmosphere,
that a writer creates for the
reader. It is intended to shape
the reader’s emotional
response to a work.
TONE
The
attitude a writer
has toward his/her
subject.
A
SYMBOL
person, a place, an
activity, or an object that
stands for something
beyond itself.
An
ALLUSION
indirect reference
to another literary
work, or to a famous
person, place, or
event.
IMAGERY
 Consists
of descriptive
words and phrases that
re-create sensory
experiences for the
reader.
An example of imagery…


I took a walk around the world to
Ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
In the sands of time
I watched the world float to the dark
Side of the moon
I feel there is nothing I can do
--"Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down
PLOT DEVELOPMENT

PLOT is the chain of related
events that take place in a
story. A plot is almost always
built around a conflict. Most
plots include these stages of
development:
EXPOSITION
gives
background
information about
characters, conflict,
and setting
NARRATIVE HOOK
 the
point at which the
author catches the
reader’s attention – the
reader becomes aware of
the main character’s
problem.
RISING ACTION
 where
the suspense builds
because complications
arise that make the
conflict more difficult for
the main character to
resolve.
CLIMAX
a
turning point in the
action when the
reader’s interest
reaches its highest
point.
FALLING ACTION
and RESOLUTION
where the conflict
ends and loose ends
are tied up.
TYPES OF
CONFLICT
EXTERNAL
 conflicts
involve a character
pitted against an outside
force, such as nature, a
physical obstacle, or another
character. A character may
even find him/herself pitted
against a supernatural force
INTERNAL

one that occurs inside the character; the
character must choose between two
courses of action.
TYPES OF IRONY

Irony is the contrast between what is
expected to happen and what actually
exists or happens. There are three types
of irony:
SITUATIONAL

the contrast between what a character or
the reader expects to happen, and what
actually happens.
VERBAL

when someone says one thing but means
another. A common form of this irony is
sarcasm.
DRAMATIC

the contrast between what a character
knows and what the reader or audience
knows.
POINT OF VIEW

Point of View refers to the vantage point
from which a story is told. Point of view
determines the overall tone of a story,
how much the reader learns about the
characters, and the reader’s opinion of the
characters. Fill in the chart below with
information about the three points of view
that writers use most.

First Person

Third Person Limited

Third Person Omniscient