Genres and Literature

1
Genres and Literature

• When you speak about genres and literature, genre
  means a category, or kind of story.

2
All categories of books or stories can be called
either fiction or non-fiction.

• Fiction
• a made up story
• can tell about things that could happen
• is read for fun
• characters may be like real people or imaginary

• Non-Fiction
• has facts that can be checked and proven
• the author is an expert on this information
• it IS TRUE!

3
Action/Adventure/Thriller

• The characters (and the reader) can always expect
  the worst - the main characters can, and usually
  do, have everything thrown at them.
• Action, action and more action are hallmarks of a
  good adventure/suspense book.
• And finally, there must be a villain, for without
  a foewithout an adversary, there can be no
  adventureno suspense.

4
Crime/Detective/Mystery

• Most - though not all - crime and detective
  novels share a common structure. First there is
  the crime, usually a murder then there is the
  investigation and finally the outcome or
  judgment, often in the shape of the criminal's
  arrest or death.
• Mysteries are stories that have a real setting
  and a problem to be solved that includes clues,
  distractions, and an answer to the problem.

5
Fantasy

• Fantasy is fiction that has elements that are not
  real. Sometimes this includes talking animals or
  characters with magical powers. Theres usually
  a conflict between good and evil.

6
Horror

• Horror fiction is, broadly, fiction intended to
  scare, unsettle or horrify the reader.
• May be supernatural or non-supernatural
• Although mostly supernatural, any fiction with a
  morbid, gruesome, surreal, suspenseful or
  frightening theme may be termed "horror.

7
Romance

• A romance is a work in which the plot centers
  around a love relationship.
• It has two strict criteria
• The first is that the story must focus on the
  relationship and romantic love between two
  people.
• Secondly, the end of the story must be positive,
  leaving the reader believing that the
  protagonists' love and relationship will endure
  for the rest of their lives.

8
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)

• Science Fiction is made up of stories that blend
  fact and fiction with futuristic technology. This
  is a form of writing that is concerned with a
  world removed in some fundamental way from our
  own, whether in time, attitude or knowledge.

9
Western

• Westerns are a novel or collection of stories set
  in 19th century frontier America with
• a strong, self-reliant central character
• simple plots
• full of action
• often involves cowboys, cavalrymen, lawmen and
  outlaws of the Old West.

10
Childrens/Young Adult

• Picture books - the illustrations play a
  significant role in telling the story.
• Early readersAlso called "easy-to-read", these
  books are designed for "emergent readers" -
  children who are just learning to read on their
  own. Most of these books are intended for primary
  grades (age 6-8).
• Chapter booksFor ages 7-10, Chapter books are
  transitional books that help children move from
  early readers to full novels.
• Middle-Grade NovelsThis is the golden age of
  reading for many children, ages 8-12. A novel,
  unlike the picture book, relies entirely on text
  to tell the story.
• Young AdultYoung adult novels, also sometimes
  called teen novels, are generally read by
  children anywhere from age 12 upwards. Most are
  contemporary stories, and often involve
  contemporary problems, including drugs, sex, and
  peer pressure.

11
Experimental

• Experimental fiction breaks one or more of the
  conventions that the reader expects to find
• All the main characters may be depicted as
  hateful, disgusting human beings.
• Instead of delivering a discernible story, the
  writer may ramble on about this and that, piling
  digression upon digression.
• As the reader attempts to settle into the
  fictional dream, the writer may intrude by
  addressing the reader directly.
• The writer may play with language, wrenching
  meaning and syntax in unexpected ways

12
Literary v. Popular Fiction

• Literary fiction focuses more on style, depth and
  character development. This type tends to be
  considered to have more literary merit
• Popular fiction focuses more on plot and
  narrative
• Gone With the Wind vs. Harry Potter

13
Works Cited

• Bennett, Steve. Childrens Literature and
  Fiction Genre definition. http//www.findmeanauth
  or.com/?childrens_fiction_genre.htm.
  findmeanauthor.com, 2009. Web. 15 Aug. 2011.
• - - -. Crime Fiction Genre Definition.
  http//www.findmeanauthor.com/?crime_fiction.htm.
  findmeanauthor.com, 2009. Web. 15 Aug. 2011.
• - - -. Romantic Fiction Genre definition.
  http//www.findmeanauthor.com/?romantic_fiction_ge
  nre.htm. findmeanauthor.com, 2009. Web. 15 Aug.
  2011.
• - - -. Thriller Fiction Genre definition.
  http//www.findmeanauthor.com/?thriller_fiction_ge
  nre.htm. findmeanauthor.com, 2009. Web. 15 Aug.
  2011.
• - - -. Western Fiction Genre definition.
  http//www.findmeanauthor.com/?western_fiction_gen
  re.htm. findmeanauthor.com, 2009. Web. 15 Aug.
  2011.
• French, Bonnie, Tina Laramie, and Michele Romeo.
  GENRES. N.d. PowerPoint file.
• Introduction to Genres. N.d. PowerPoint file.