1. GENRE CHEAT SHEET
Traditional Literature Storied passed down for generations through oral story-telling
Myths, legends, folktales, fairy tales, tall tales, nursery rhymes
Foundation for fantasy
Fantasy Characters: talking animals, mythical creatures, magic users
Setting: often medieval, time travel / magic
Science Fiction Characters: mutants, robots, aliens, “mad” scientist, talking
computer
Setting: advanced tech. cities, space ships, space, galaxy, time
travel, technology
Plot: alien attacks / visits, time traveling, technology is important,
experiments “gone wrong”
Realistic Fiction Characters: everyday people doing everyday things
Setting: modern times, realistic places
Plot: realistic events
Historical Fiction Characters: famous historical people
Setting: in the past, historical / important sites
Plot: authentic, historical events / average or significant people
Mystery Characters: detective, investigators, spies
Setting: crime scenes, detective / police office, haunted places
Plot: crime or mysterious events, clues that lead to a solution
Biography / Autobiography / Memoir Biography—story of someone’s life written by someone else
Autobiography—story of someone’s life written by themselves
Memoir—a short account of the author’s experiences written by
themselves
Informational Purpose: provides information on a wide range of topics
Non-fiction (Informs the reader on topics they want to be informed
on)
Science, crafts, sports, articles, history, etc.
Poetry Shortened form of writing
Figurative language: metaphors, similes, personification
Author’s expression of feelings / opinions
Can follow a specific form or structure
*Adapted from Donalyn Miller The Book Whisperer