Literary Genres and Their Characteristics

Definition: Story with a theme of love. This genre has a central focus on the development of a romantic relationship between two people.

• Adventure

• Romance

• Western

• Realistic Fiction

This genre is primarily set in the American Old West between the late eighteenth century and late nineteenth century. This genre tells the stories of cowboys, settlers, and outlaws exploring the western frontier and taming the Wild West.

• Adventure

• Romance

• Western

• Realistic Fiction

Definition: Narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale. The Tortoise and the Hare is a great example.

• Fable

• Fantasy

• Science Fiction

• Myth

Definition: A classic or legendary story that focuses on a particular hero, god, or event and explains mysteries of nature, existence, or the universe. Greek and Roman mythology are common types.

• Myth

• Fantasy

• Science Fiction

• Fairy Tale

What is a type of book is written by an author about someone else's real life? 

• mythology

• biography

• short story

• autobiography

What do you call a story that CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN, takes place in current times, seems real BUT is based on the author's imagination?

• fairy tale

• drama

• realistic fiction

• science fiction

What type of story might have a magical setting and strange creatures, a problem or quest, a life lesson and a happy ending?

• realistic fiction

• essay

• fairy tale

• drama

In general, what do you call any story based on the author's imagination?

• fiction

• article

• memoir

• fantasy

What type of book is written by an author about his or her own life?

• autofiction

• automatic story

• automemery

• autobiography

What do you call a story set in the distant future, on other planets and has imagined technology and maybe strange life forms?

• space fiction

• imagined fiction

• super fiction

• science fiction