Introduction to Literary
Genres
SUBTOPICS
Understanding Conventions of
Traditional Genres
2. Identifying elements of the
different genres.
3. Using Elements as Techniques to
Develop Themes
Literature- Derived from the
Latin litteratura meaning
"writing formed with letters,"
literature is most commonly
refers to works of the creative
imagination, including poetry,
drama, fiction, nonfiction,
journalism, and in some
instances, song.
http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm
A genre is a particular type of
literature, painting, music,
film, or other art form which
people consider as a class
because it has special
characteristics.
Literary Genres
A category of literary composition
determined by literary techniques, tone,
content, or even (as in the case of fiction)
length. The distinction between genres and
categories are flexible and loosely defined,
often with subgroups.
The most general genres in literature are epic,
tragedy, comedy, creative nonfiction.
They can all be in the form of prose and
poetry.
Literary Conventions
Define features of a
particular genre such
as a novel, a short
story, or a play.
5 Major Genres
Fiction
Non Fiction
Drama (Plays )
Folktale
Poetry
SUBGENRES
FICTION NONFICTION DRAMA FOLKTALE POETRY
Mystery Biography Plays Fable ABC Poem
Realistic Autobiography Skits Myth Haiku
Fiction
Historical Informational Musicals Fairy Tale Triangle
Fiction
Fantasy Reference Tragedy Legend Sonnet
Science Essay Comedy Tall Tale Free Verse
Fiction
Fiction
A written stories
about people and
events that are not
real: literature that tell
stories which are
imagined by the
writer.
Elements of Fiction
1. Character- Person in a work of fiction/
characteristics of a person ( protagonist/
antagonist).
2. Conflict_ Opposition of forces which ties one
incident to another and makes the plot move.
(external and internal)
3. Setting- refers to place, time, weather condition,
and even mood or atmosphere.
4. Point of view- How the character is told- more
specifically who tells it?
5. Plot- It is the sequence of events in a story or a
play.
6. Theme- the central dominating idea.
Drama
A story put into action, or a story of h u m
a n life told by actual representation of
person by person, with imitation of
language, voice, gesture, dress, and
accessories or surrounding conditions,
the whole produce with reference to truth
or probability, and with or without the aid
of music, dancing, painting, and
decoration
Elements of Drama
Plot - The events in play.
Setting -Time and place of a literary work.
Characters - People or creatures in a play.
Dialogue - conversation in a play.
Theme - The central thought of a play; the
idea or ideas with which a play
deals.
Scenery - the various elements that are
used to create a particular visual
setting for a play.
Folktale
Folktales are stories pa s s e
d down by oral tradition.
Though there are many
varieties of folk tales, they
are commonly about regular
people in everyday
settings.
Elements of Folktale
Characters (the characters are flat
Plot
Setting
Theme
Events
Style
Tone
Point of View ( Often third person narrative)
Poetry
Prose that resembles a
poem in some respect, as
in vivid imagery or
rhythmic sound
Elements of Poetry
Imagery- It appeals to the senses ( show don’t tell).
Ex.
Rhythm- a regular pattern of sounds or
movements.
Sound – the rhythm goes along with the general
sound as it is easy to remember. ( euphony and
cacophony)
Density- is how much is said in how little of space. The
ability to use metaphor not to conform to traditional
grammar styles, and incorporate sounds and rhythmic
is unique in poetry.
Line
NONFICTION
The branch of literature
comprising works of narrative
prose dealing with or
offering opinions or
conjectures upon facts and
reality, including biography,
history and essay.
Elements of Nonfiction
Deals only with real people, e v e n
t s, or idea.
Narrated from point of view, or
perspective of the author, who is a
real person.
Nonfiction presents facts o
r discusses concepts.
It may reflect historical context o
f the time period, including
references to major social and
Evaluation ( 5 points each)
• Differentiate prose and
poetry.
• Compare and contrast
the different literary
genres.
Assignment
Give one example for e a c
h literary genre and tell
something about it. Write
your answer in a one
whole piece of paper.
