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

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

Although common elements can be found across genres, it is important for students to be taught the characteristics, structures, and purposes specific to a particular genre so students are better able to engage with and draw meaning from these texts. 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 the words. If students do not understand this characteristic of literature, they will likely be unable to determine the author’s purpose or message because they may be reading the words only for their literal meaning.

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

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

how text is constructed or put together