Definitions of genres and search strategies for finding them in the Curriculum Resource Center
Genres
|
Genre
|
Subject or genre search (not keyword)
|
|
Realistic fiction/Coming-of-age
- Set in contemporary times
- Reflects issues and problems faced by humans
- Recognizable setting
|
Bildungsromans
|
|
Historical fiction
- Set during an historical time period or era
- Historical time period is inextricable from plot
|
Historical fiction
|
|
Science fiction
- Takes place in future
- Often deals with outer space and/or advanced technologies
- May be speculative or dystopic (takes place in an unsavory future)
|
Science fiction
|
|
Fantasy
- Deals with the realm of the impossible
- Often features magic, imaginary lands, and mythological creatures
|
Fantasy
|
|
Mystery
- Protagonist must solve a crime or puzzle
|
Detective and mystery stories
|
|
Adventure/Thriller
- Plot-driven novel, marked by suspense, intrigue, and/or excitement
|
Adventure stories or adventure fiction
|
|
Horror
- Marked by terror created by a paranormal or supernatural force
- Like fantasy, horror deals with the realm of the impossible
|
Horror tales or horror fiction or ghost stories or paranormal fiction
|
|
Romance
- Romantic love, explored through two (or more) characters
- Can involve sexual awakening or awareness
|
Romance fiction
|
|
Sports
- Personal growth through team or individual sports
- Conflict often involves elements of the sport
|
Sports stories or sports fiction
|
|
Biography
- The true story of a real person
- Two subgenres: memoir and autobiography
- Memoirs are written by the person they are about, and cover a moment of the life
- Autobiographies are written by the person they are about, and cover the entire life up to the moment of writing
|
Biographies (genre search only)
|
|
Nonfiction
- Informational in nature, with verifiable, sourced facts.
- Creative (or narrative) nonfiction employs the elements of plot to tell the story
|
Nonfiction (genre search only)
|