Although common elements can be found across genres, it is important that students know the characteristics, structures, and purposes specific to a particular genre so students are better able to engage with the text and draw meaning from it. For example, students should know that when they read a literary text, the language can be highly figurative, so they need to make inferences to determine the implied meanings of what these words represent. If students do not understand this characteristic of literature, they will likely be unable to determine the author’s purpose or message because they are reading the words only for their literal meaning.

the author’s primary goal in a piece of writing, such as to narrate, to argue, to review, to explain, or to examine

text that is widely acknowledged for its outstanding and enduring qualities

a text that is set near the present time, typically post-World War II

texts that represent regional, economic, social, and ethnic differences through subject matter and/or characters

the type or class of a work, usually categorized by form, technique, or content Literary genres include tragedy, comedy, poetry, novel, short story, creative/literary nonfiction, etc. and the sub genres of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, horror, satire, etc.; nonfiction genres include biography, essay, memoir, historical text, scientific text, academic reporting, etc.

the form, format, elements, and techniques typically used within a particular genre

the organizational pattern or structure authors use to construct and organize ideas for their audience (e.g., cause and effect, problem and solution, description, order of importance)

stories derived from the oldest records of oral and written narratives throughout history (e.g., tales, legends, fairytales, fables, myths, and religious texts)