Topic 1: Introduction to Literary

Genres
2. SUBTOPICS
• Understanding Conventions of Traditional
Genres
• Identifying elements of the different genres.
• Using Elements as Techniques to Develop
Themes
 LITERATURE
• 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 ( in loose chronological
order) epic, tragedy, comedy, creative
nonfiction. They can all be in the form of.
prose and poetry
 Literary Conventions
• Defining 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 Fiction Autobiography Skits Myth Haiku

Historical Informational Musicals Fairy Tale Triangle

Fiction
Fantasy Reference Tragedy Legend Sonne

Science Fiction Essay Comedy Tall Tale Free Verse

 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 human
life told by actual representation of persons by
persons, 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; a play.
 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 passed 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 - is a unit of language
 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, events, or idea.
• Narrated from point of view, or perspective of
the author, who is a real person.
• Nonfiction presents facts or discusses
concepts.
• It may reflect historical context of the time
period, including references to major social
and cultural information.
Evaluation
( 5 points each)
1. and Differentiate prose poetry.
2. Compare and contrast the different literary
genres.
Assignment
• Give one example for each literary
genre and tell something about it.
Write your answer in a one whole
piece of paper.