Literary

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Literary Genres
a kind of literary or artistic work
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• Literary Genres are divided into two categories
• Fiction
• Nonfiction

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Fiction Genre
Stories that are not based entirely upon facts.
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Drama
Stories that are written with a lot of conflict
and emotion. Often dramas are written
specifically for theatrical performances.
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Fable
Stories that are a supernatural tale. These
stories usually teach a lesson or tell of a
truth. Often times in a fable, animals will
speak as humans.
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Fairy Tale
Stories about magical creatures usually written
for children.
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Fantasy
Fiction stories that are written with strange
settings and/or characters. These stories
challenge reality.
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Fiction
Stories that are written through imagination and
which are not based on facts.
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Folklore
Stories, songs, myths, or proverbs that are
handed down from generation to generation usually
by word of mouth
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Historical Fiction
Stories with fictional events and characters that
take place in a historical setting.
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Horror
Fiction stories that are written to fill the
reader with dread and fear.
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Humor
Fiction stories that are full of fun and
excitement. These stories are meant to
entertain the reader. Humor can be
contained in all
genres.
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Legend
Stories that have a basis and can contain some
facts, but also include imaginative
material.
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Mystery
Fiction stories that deal with solving a mystery
or a crime. It can also be a story in which
secrets are unraveled.
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Mythology
Stories that are often based on historical events
in which human behavior and natural phenomena are
explained through symbolism. Often these are
pertaining to the
actions of gods.
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Poetry
Verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that
creates emotional responses.
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Realistic Fiction
Fiction stories that can actually happen and are
true to life.
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Science Fiction
Fiction stories that are based on actual or
imagined science and usually take place on other
planets or in the future.
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Short Story
Stories that are very short and contain no
subplots.
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Tall Tale
Humorous stories with many exaggerations and
heroes who do the impossible with little effort.
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Nonfiction Genre
Stories that are true.
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Biography
A story about a persons life or a true story
about a real person. A biography is written by
another person about
another person.
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Autobiography
Stories that are written about a persons life or
a true story written about a real person.
Autobiographies are
written by the person
the story is about.
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Essay
A short composition that reflects the authors
outlook or point of view on a topic.
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Narrative Nonfiction
Factual information told in the form of a story.
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Nonfiction
Information dealing with an actual, real life
story.
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Speech
A public address