Genres of Fiction

1. Genres of Fiction • G5.2R.C1.PO9

2. Objective • I can identify various genres of fiction.

3. Essential Questions • What is Science Fiction? How is it different from Historical & Realistic Fiction? • What is Historical Fiction? How is it different from Science & Realistic Fiction? • What is Realistic Fiction? How is it different from Science & Historical Fiction?

4. Essential Questions, Continued • What is Adventure? How is it different from Mystery & Fantasy? • What is Mystery? How is it different from Adventure & Fantasy? • What is Fantasy? How is it different from Adventure & Mystery?

5. Essential Questions, Continued • What is a Myth? How is it different from a legend? • What is a Legend? How is it different from a Myth?

6. Essential Questions, Continued • What is a Fable? How is it different from a Tall Tale & a Fairy Tale? • What is a Tall Tale? How is it different from a Fable & a Fairy Tale? • What is a Fairy Tale? How is it different from a Fable & a Tall Tale?

7. Science Fiction • Science Fiction is a genre that often involves guesses about current or future science or technology.

8. Science Fiction, Continued • Science Fiction can include: • A setting in the future • A setting in outer space or involving aliens • Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict the laws of nature • Stories that involve discovery of new scientific principles or new technology

9. Science Fiction, Continued • Science fiction differs from Fantasy in that its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientific principles. • Examples of Science Fiction works include Star Trek, Star Wars, and A Wrinkle in Time

10. Historical Fiction • Historical Fiction is a story that is set in the past and portrays people, places and events that did or could have happened. • Historical Fiction includes a real time and place in the past, and often real historical figures who mingle with fictional characters living during a notable period in history.

11. Historical Fiction, Continued • Historical Fiction differs from Realistic Fiction and Science Fiction in that it is set in the past during a notable period or event in history. • Examples of Historical Fiction include Johnny Tremain, Number the Stars, and Sarah, Plain and Tall.

12. Realistic Fiction • Realistic Fiction tells about characters and events that are like people and events in real life. • Realistic Fiction includes characters that have feelings that real people have, and a setting that is familiar to most.

13. Realistic Fiction, Continued • Realistic Fiction differs from Historical & Science Fiction in that all elements of the story are possible, and the story is set in the present. • Examples include No Talking, The Best School Year Ever, and The Last Holiday Concert.

14. Adventure • Stories often involve outdoors, survival, and exciting journeys to interesting places • Characters face challenges in order to triumph over difficult situations.

15. Adventure, Continued • Adventure is different from Mystery and Fantasy because it focuses on the actions of the hero. • Examples include Hatchet, Julie of the Wolves, Danger in the Desert.

16. Mystery • Story revolves around a problem, crime or mystery to be solved using clues • Story is suspenseful • Characters are detectives, suspects and sometimes both

17. Mystery, Continued • Mystery is different from Adventure and Fantasy because it has a crime, clues, suspects, detectives and a mystery to be solved. • Examples include The Westing Game, and Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew series

18. Fantasy • Story events could not really happen in real life • Stories involve magic, wizards and mythical characters

19. Fantasy, Continued • Fantasy is different from Adventure and Mystery because it contains magic and/or mythical characters and settings. • Examples include the Harry Potter series, the Lord of the Rings series, Eragon

20. Myth • A traditional story of gods or heroes which tries to explain people, things or events. • Tries to explain elements of nature or life. • Has gods, goddesses and unusual creatures.

21. Myth, Continued • Myths are different from legends because myths are stories that were made up to explain the world. • Examples include Apollo, god of the Sun, Medusa and Hercules

22. Legend • A legend is an exaggerated version of a true story. • Stories were originally passed down orally, then eventually written down

23. Legend, Continued • Legends are different from myths because legends come from true stories that have been exaggerated over time. • Examples include Robin Hood, King Arthur & Excalibur

24. Fable • A fable is a short story designed to teach a lesson. • Usually contains talking animals • Has a moral at the end.

25. Fable, Continued • Fables are different from Fairy Tales and Tall Tales because they contain talking animals and lessons. • Examples include The Tortoise & the Hare, The Ant & the Grasshopper

26. Fairy Tales • A Fairy Tale is a story that includes magical creatures or actions. • Often begins with “Once Upon a Time” and ends with “happily ever after.” • Setting often in a town, castle or forest. • Good is usually rewarded and evil is punished.

27. Fairy Tale, Continued • A Fairy Tale is different from a Fable and Tall Tale because it includes magic. • Examples include Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White

28. Tall Tale • A Tall Tale is a story with unbelievable elements, told as if it was true and factual. • May include a larger than life character with a specific job. • Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they are.

29. Tall Tale, Continued • Tall tales differ from Fables and Fairy Tales because they are exaggerated stories that are based on the truth. • Examples include Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, and Johnny Appleseed.

30. Folktale • A folktale is passed down orally • Usually from another culture • Has a moral at the end of the story • Examples include Sees Behind Trees, The Rough-Faced Girl, The Boy Who Cried Wolf.