Genre

A type of literature in which all its members share common characteristics, which may be considered generally and through story elements. Not all of the common characteristics in every piece of literature within specific genre contains every characteristic and some charateristics are included in more than one genre (list of genre types). 

The variety of stories and ways they can be told makes classification of literature challenging to say the least. Classification for this page includes: fiction -with sub categories of realistic fiction, fantasy, historical fiction and traditonal literature with its subcategories of fables, fairy tales, folk tales, myths and legends. Other categories are nonfiction, poetry, mixed genre, and non textual genre. Scroll down to explore.

Fiction

Stories created from imagination and not necessarily fact. They include realistic, animal, thrillers, mysteries, romances, sports, fantasy, high fantasy, science fiction, fairy tales, fables, myths, legends, and folk epics, - Book lists

• Quality characteristics and story elements | Additional information on story elements
• Realistic fiction genre description - story elements and quality characteristics
• Modern fantasy genre description - story elements and quality characteristics
• Historical fiction genre description - story elements and quality characteristics
• Teacher tool box for fiction - realistic, modern fantasy, historical, ...

Traditional literature

Stories which were originally told orally - fables, folk tales, myths, legends

• Teacher tool box for fairiy tales, folk tales, fables, myths, amd legends

Nonfiction

Stories which were true. They include biography, autobiography, informational, speech, essay, history.

• Nonfiction - description of story elements and quality characteristics
• Biography - description of story elements and quality characteristics
• Teacher tool box for nonfiction, book lists and other

Poetry

Poetry is literature with rhythm and verse. It includes nursery rhymes, ballads, epics, songs, poems, and lyrics

Mixed genre

• Multicultural tool box
• Picture books, Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga, and other Visual Art Media tool box
• Pop-up books
• Anthologies samples
• Classics
• Concept books - | assorted concept book list | alphabet books | number books | predictable books |

Non textual genre

Visual Arts

Visual arts may have started as scratches on cave walls, tools, pottery, and other natural objects. Later it included threads and other natural objects sewed into materials used for clothing. Later yet sculptures, drawings on parchments, paper, and other surfaces.

Eventually depictions on some of these artifacts included multiple representations that could be considered a story.

Visual elements can be used to tell an entire story or be included as part of a story or to support text or other story telling devices. Ways to understand, analyze, and evaluate these is elements should be part of a literature study or curriculum.

The links in the visual art tool box include information, activities, literature list for art, picture books, comics, graphic novels, manga, and other visual art related media.

• Visual arts tool box

Music

• Music too box- Popular, Classical, Country western, Rap, Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk songs

Drama, Theater, Film, Video, Pictures

• Film tool box
• Theater tool box
• Opera, Comedy, Tragedy, Realistic, Documentary
• Disney notes

Dance

• Dance tool box - Folk dance, Ballet, Modern dance (Waltz, Tango, Swing...)