Lesson 8: Genre

Getting Started

Stuff You Need

• Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution by Natalie S. Bober
• crayons, markers, or colored pencils* (Activity 2 - Option 2)

* - denotes an optional material that may or may not be needed

Ideas to Think About

• How do the lives of individuals interact with, influence, and become transformed by the events of the time and place in which they live?
• What is the purpose of biography and how can biographies influence and inspire readers?
• How does an author's choice of genre influence his or her decisions and the resulting literary work?

Things to Know

• A genre is a category of literature that is defined by similarities in theme, style, or structure.
• Adventure stories focus on exciting quests or perilous situations and are usually full of action, danger, and thrills.
• Historical fiction stories are set in a real time and place in the past and often feature people, places, and events that really happened. Unlike nonfiction historical works or biographies, the author may also invent new characters, imagine new situations, or make up details that are not verifiable in the historical record.
• Mysteries usually focus on the solving of a crime or puzzle, with secrets and clues revealed throughout the story.
• Myths are legends and are often handed down from generation to generation. They tend to explain historical events or natural phenomena and may involve deities or mythical creatures.
• Science fiction stories are driven by events related to real, imagined, or theoretical science. Many science fiction stories take place in the future or on other planets.
• Realistic fiction stories could actually happen. These stories seem real to the reader and often include details of daily life.
• Satire is a form of literature that uses ridicule or sarcasm to show the shortcomings and vices of a person, organization, or institution. Often, satire is used to make a point about a public figure or government in an effort to make a political or social statement.
• A parody is related to satire in that it is ridicule-based, but whereas satire is usually making a social or political point, parodies are sometimes just for fun. In a parody, another work is imitated, usually in a way that pokes fun at the original.
• Graphic novels tell a story using both written words and sequential art, often similar to comic books, but they can be more complex and experimental in their design. Japanese manga is a well-known form of graphic novel.
• Readers can interpret allegories to find a hidden meaning in the text. The story may be a simple one on the surface, but embedded in the story is another meaning, usually a life lesson, that can be teased out.