Literary Genres Workshop

1. Literary Genres Workshop Objectives: Determine purpose for reading; Analyze characteristics of different genres

3. Fiction Made-up stories about characters and events Weaves together plot (action), characters (persons/animals), setting (the where and when), and theme (the message – the BIG PICTURE).

4. Let’s read an excerpt from The Cay, a novel by Theodore Taylor After we read, we’ll discuss: • Plot • Character • Conflict • Setting • Theme • Point of view

5. Poetry – It’s all around us! Let’s talk about how often poetry is part of our lives. • Lines • Stanzas • Rhythm • Rhyme • Theme Poetry might make readers look at something ordinary in a new way.

6. Let’s read “Thumbprint,” by Eve Merriam. • How can we tell that this is a poem? • How does the poet make us look more closely at an ordinary thing like a thumbprint? • What qualities or characteristics make us unique?

7. Drama The story is meant to be performed. All the elements of fiction are developed through: • Dialogue • Scenes/acts • Stage directions

8. Let’s read the excerpt from A Young Lady of Property, by Horton Foote. • How can you tell who is speaking? • How are stage directions helpful? • How do Mrs. Leighton and Wilma treat each other? • What is Wilma’s ambition? • Let’s guess what the big picture message might be.

9. Nonfiction and Informational Text • Through literary nonfiction (autobiographies and speeches, for instance) we learn about historic events, inspiring people, and ground breaking topics. • Informational text (instruction manuals, magazine articles, etc.) is an important source for learning about the world.

10. Literary nonfiction • Autobiography/ Biography – True story of a person’s life • Essay – Short piece of writing about a single, focused subject • Speech – Oral presentation of speaker’s beliefs or ideas

11. Let’s read the excerpt from Bad Boy, by Walter Dean Myers. • How can we tell that this is an autobiography rather than a biography? • What challenges did Myers face because of his speech problem? • What is the big idea message here? • Do you think all obstacles can be overcome with enough effort?

12. News/Feature Articles • Informational writing in newspapers and magazines. News articles report on recent events. Feature articles provide in-depth coverage of interesting people, topics, and trends. • They are primarily intended to inform or entertain. • They often use examples, statistics, quotations from sources, and graphic aids to present information.

13. Let’s read “Stress,” an article in a magazine or periodical called Health Watch. • How are the boxed details presented differently than in the autobiography we read? • Which type of writing would you prefer? • When might you need to read something like this article?

14. Consumer documents • Printed materials that usually accompany products and services. • They are intended to inform consumers about how to use a product or service. • They often include illustrations, diagrams, and step-by-step directions.

15. Types of Media Look at page ten of your textbook to see the characteristics of the following types of media: • Feature Films • News Media • TV Shows • Advertising • Web Sites

16. Become an actively engaged reader! • Ask yourself questions as you read! • Notice effects of literary elements (analyze)! • Make connections to your life! • Connect the material to other subjects!

17. MRS. RASP’S ENGAGEMENT GUIDE • Together let’s read page 12 in your textbook. • To get us started on this engagement journey, let’s look at Mrs. Rasp’s “Engagement Guide.”

19. Context Clues • Mrs. Rasp is such a flibbertigibbet; she is goofy, crazy, and silly. • Meaning? • Synonyms? • Antonyms? • Sentence: