Genres and Subgenres Flashcards
Fiction
Genre
Imaginative or made up writing (Writing that is NOT true)
Sub-genres of FICTION include:
Fantasy, Science Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction
Nonfiction
Genre
Writing that is true
Sub-genres of NONFICTION include:
Informational Writing, Persuasive Writing, Biography, Autobiography
Folklore
Genre
Stories once passed down orally (usually has an “unknown” author or will be “retold” or “adapted” by the author)
Sub-genres of FOLKLORE include:
Fairy Tale, Fable, Myth, Legend, Tall Tale
Drama
Genre
A play or script (Stories written in script form)
Sub-genres of DRAMA include:
Comedy, Tragedy
Ex. of Script Form-
Teacher: Everyone take notes.
Student A: I don’t have a pen.
Poetry
Genre
Writing concerned with the beauty of language
(sometimes rhymes, but NOT ALWAYS)
What are the 5 main GENRES?
Fiction Non-fiction Folklore Drama Poetry
Persuasive Writing
Sub-genre of Non-Fiction
Tries to influence the reader
Ex. Advertisements, Persuasive Essays, etc.
Informational Writing
Sub-genre of Non-Fiction
Explains something
Ex. Textbook, Article about Kittens, Instructions on how to do something, etc.
Autobiography
Sub-genre of Non-Fiction
Life story written by oneself
Ex. A book about Abraham Lincoln’s life that he wrote.
Biography
Sub-genre of Non-Fiction
Writing about someone else’s life
Ex. A book that someone wrote about George Washington’s life.
What are the Sub-genres of Non-Fiction?
Informational Writing
Persuasive Writing
Biography
Autobiography
The Latin roots in “Autobiography” are _____, ________, and _________.
"Auto" Means: Self "Bio" Means: Life "Graphy" Means: Writing Put them together: WRITING about the LIFE of one's SELF
The Latin roots in “Biography” are ________ and _________.
"Bio" Means: Life "Graphy" Means: Writing Put them together: WRITING about someone's LIFE.
What are the Sub-Genres of Fiction?
Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Realistic Fiction
Sub-Genre of FICTION
Has no elements of fantasy; could be true BUT ISN’T; SEEMS true BUT ISN’T
Ex. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Secret Garden, Ramona the Pest, etc.
Historical Fiction
Sub-Genre of FICTION
Set in the past and based on real people and/or events
Ex. The Little House on the Prairie, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, etc.
Science Fiction
Sub-Genre of FICTION
Has aliens, robots, futuristic technology and/or space ships
Ex. Star Wars, etc.
Fantasy
Sub-Genre of FICTION
Has monsters, magic, or characters with superpowers
Ex. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; The Hobbit, Spiderman, etc.
What is the difference between Realistic Fiction and Historical Fiction?
Both SEEM real, BUT ARE NOT. Both are sub-genres of Fiction (and are not true).
**The difference is that Historical Fiction takes place in the past. The setting of Historical Fiction is in the past and Realistic Fiction is set in the present.
What is the difference between Realistic Fiction and Biography?
Realistic Fiction is a sub-genre of FICTION, and is therefore NOT TRUE (even though it may SEEM true).
Biography is a sub-genre of NON-FICTION, and is therefore TRUE.
What is the difference between Biography and Autobiography?
Both are about a person’s life, or events in a person’s life. Both are sub-genres of Non-Fiction (and are true).
**The difference is that an Autobiography is written by the person who the story is about (they are writing about THEIR OWN life and experiences). A biography is written by someone about SOMEONE ELSE’S life and experiences.
Fable
Sub-genre of FOLKLORE
-Short story with personified animals and a moral
Ex. “The Tortoise and the Hare”, “The Three Little Pigs”, “The Ugly Duckling”, etc.
Myth
Sub-genre of FOLKLORE
-Has gods/goddesses
-Usually accounts for the creation of something
-Hero/heroine has super powers (ex. can fly, can become invisible, etc.)
Ex. In Greek mythology, Zeus was the god who was in charge of thunder.
Personified
When something is given the traits of people.
Ex. A talking animal, a dancing tree, a singing tea pot, etc.
Moral
The lesson or message of a fable.
Ex. The moral of the story, “The Tortoise and the Hare” is that “slow and steady wins the race”. Another moral to that story is “Pride comes before a fall”.
Tall Tale
Sub-genre of FOLKLORE
-Often (but not always) set in the Wild West, the American frontier
-Main characters’ skills/size/strength is greatly exaggerated
-Exaggeration is humorous
-Uses hyperbole
Ex. Uncle Septimus’ Beard became like a tornado.
Legend
Sub-genre of FOLKLORE
-Based on a real person or place
-Hero/heroine faces a powerful force
-Hero/heroine has special powers/abilities (ex. can run really fast, can swordfight really well, etc.)
Ex. The Legend of King Arthur, Michael Jordan is a basketball legend, Babe Ruth is a baseball legend, etc.
Fairytale
Sub-genre of FOLKLORE
- Has magic and/or talking animals
- Often starts with “Once upon a time…”
- Often has a human main character
- *Be careful:
- Fantasy also has magic elements, but Fairy Tales are much older and are passed down orally
- Fables also have talking animals, but fables are VERY short
Cultural Values
Beliefs of a group of person. Things that they consider important.
Ex. Honesty, Integrity, Family, etc.
Hyperbole
Extreme exaggeration
Ex. “My backpack weighs a ton!”, “I’m so hungry that I could eat a horse!, “It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!”, “That is the fattest dog in the world!”, etc.
What are the Sub-Genres of Folklore?
Fairy Tale Fable Myth Legend Tall Tale
Comedy
Sub-Genre of DRAMA (written in script form)
Has a happy ending
Tragedy
Sub-Genre of DRAMA (written in script form)
Ends in death and sadness
Ex. Romeo and Juliette
What are the Sub-Genres of Drama?
Comedy
Tragedy
What is the difference between SUPER powers and SPECIAL POWERS/ABILITIES?
Super Powers are things that humans cannot naturally do. Ex. Fly, become invisible, shape change, etc.
Special Powers/abilities are things that humans can do, that the character can do extremely well. Ex. run, jump, sword fight, play a sport, etc.
What is the difference between Myth and Legend?
Both are sub-genres of FOLKLORE (passed down orally).
**The differences are:
Myths often have gods/goddesses and characters with SUPER powers.
Myths often explain the creation of natural things.
Legends often have heroes/heroines with SPECIAL powers/abilities.
Legends are often based off of people that might have really existed/events that might have really occurred.
What is the difference between a Legend and a Tall Tale?
Both are sub-genres of FOLKLORE (passed down orally). Both might include exaggeration. Both are based off of characters/events that might have really existed/occurred.
**The differences are:
Legends are more serious and Tall Tales are more humorous.
Tall Tales use extreme exaggerations (hyperbole), which make their characters “larger than life” and humorous.
Legends often have their hero/heroine facing a powerful force.
