Genre Definitions
Creative or imaginative writing
FICTION
A made up story set around a real event or person from history
Historical Fiction
Journal of a Lumpy Kid by Ken Jiffy
In his first year of middle school, Hank Griffin, the main character of this story deals with “cooties,” older bullies, running for a class election, and other problems that many middle school students face.
Fiction, Realistic Fiction
“The Ant & The Grasshopper” Adapted by Chad Peplum
The really short story of an Ant who works hard all summer to prepare for winter and a Grasshopper who just plays. Winter comes and the Grasshopper freezes to death. The moral is “prepare today for tomorrow’s needs.”
Folklore, Fable
Stories that may be set in outer space, set in the future, or contain advanced technology
Writing that is true or factual
Non-Fiction
One’s life story written by someone else
Biography
Eric Vaser and the Educator’s Rock by J.P. Tumblin
This is the first book in the Eric Vaser series. Eric goes to mage school and becomes a star student. He learns to play pencetrench, a football like game played on flying platforms, and he fights to stop a growing evil within the school that will test his newfound magic powers.
Fiction, Fantasy
They Came from the Sun by Tom Mitchell
The story of a race of aliens that come to enslave the residents of Earth with their advanced weaponry. Only one teacher can stop them, but is it too late?
Fiction, Science Fiction
Stories that are usually set in the Wild West and the characters have exaggerated skills
Folklore, Tall Tale
Stories once passed down orally.
*Usually will say “retold by” or “adapted by”
Folklore
A story that might be true, but is exaggerated.
Legend
“Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine!” By Sasha Marsh
In this essay, Marsh tries to convince people to do small things to help the environment. She gives readers many suggestions on how to live more eco-friendly and challenges readers to make the world a better place for future generations through small contributions.
NonFiction, Persuasive Essay
As I Was Saying by Augustus Gluten
Mr. Gluten writes the story of his humble origins as a child in Germany to his meteoric rise to power in the candy industry.
Non-Fiction, Autobiography
Made up stories that contain monsters, magic, or talking animals and are NOT passed down through oral tradition.
Fiction, Fantasy
Stories created out of made up events
Fiction
Stories that could be true, but aren’t
Realistic Fiction
“Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind” retold by Mitch Colwell
Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind was the toughest girl in the Wild West. She flosses with rattlesnakes and dries her clothes in a tornado. She’s tougher than a ten-year-old steak. Read about her extraordinary adventures in this humorous text.
Folklore, Tall Tale
Science Textbook
This science textbook contains much of the human knowledge of Earth and the universe.
Non-Fiction, Informational Writing
Stories that contain gods and goddesses and may account for the creation of something.
Folklore, Myth
Nonfiction
Short story with talking animals & a moral.
Fable
Bag Lunch by Dillard Perkins
It is the fictional story of two young African American girls living in Greensboro, N.C. in 1960. One day while waiting to buy food at a Woolworth's lunch counter, the girls find themselves at a significant crossroads in American history.
Dogs and Cats” by Bob Brady
A five paragraph essay where the student Bob Brady compares and contrasts dogs and cats. He provides a lot of information about both
Non-Fiction, Informational Writing
True stories that a person writes about his/her own life.
Non-Fiction, Autobiography