Topic 1: Introduction to Literary

Genres

Prepared by:
MAY LOVE A. SALINAS
SHS TEACHER
SUBTOPICS
 Understanding Conventions of
Traditional Genres
 2. Identifying elements of the
different genres.
 3. Using Elements as Techniques to
Develop Themes
 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 Autobiography Skits Myth Haiku

Fiction
Historical Informational Musicals Fairy Tale Triangle
Fiction

Fantasy Reference Tragedy Legend Sonne

Science Essay Comedy Tall Tale Free Verse

Fiction
 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.
 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.
 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
Evaluation ( 5 points each)
. Differentiate prose and
 1

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.