Literary Genres
A literary genre is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or even (as in the case of fiction) length. They are often divided into subgenres such as mystery, science fiction, romance, fantasy, and so on.
Common Literary Genres
- Fiction: Stories that are imagined and created rather than based on real events. Subgenres include: science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, and more.
- Nonfiction: Texts that are based on facts, real events, and real people. Subgenres include: biographies, autobiographies, essays, and more.
- Poetry: Literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm. Subgenres include: sonnets, haiku, limericks, and more.
- Drama: Works intended for performance by actors on a stage. Subgenres include: tragedy, comedy, melodrama, and more.
Study Guide
Here are some key points to remember when studying literary genres:
- Understand the characteristics of each genre and its subgenres.
- Identify the elements that make a particular work fit into a specific genre.
- Practice identifying and categorizing different literary works into their respective genres.
- Explore examples of each genre to better understand their unique features and styles.
- Consider the historical and cultural context in which each genre emerged.
[Literary Genres] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂English Language Arts Worksheets and Study Guides Fifth Grade. Literary Genres
Worksheet/Answer key
Literary Genres 
Worksheet/Answer key
Literary Genres Worksheet/Answer key
Literary Genres Worksheet/Answer key
Literary Genres
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
Reading Standards for Literature
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the Grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently. [RL.5.10]
Reading Standards: Foundational Skills
Fluency
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. [RF.5.4]
Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings. [RF.5.4b]