Lesson 2

Exploring Genres

Exploring Genres: Realistic Fiction, Biography, Personal Narrative, and Informational Narrative

  • Objective:
  • Understand the concept of genres in literature
  • Identify and differentiate between genres such as realistic fiction, biography, personal narrative, and informational narrative.
  • Analyze the unique characteristics and elements of each genre.
  • Resources:
  • Time: 60 min
  • Introduction (20 mins):
    • Begin the lesson by explaining the concept of genres and their role in categorising different types of literature. Engage students by discussing their favourite books and asking them to identify the genres of those books.
    • Introduce the genres. (Here is a Teacher Resource to help explain students: Genre definitions with examples)
    • Spend a bit more time on these, as students could use any of these genres in writing their book. (Finalize the 3 genres with the students – Biography, realistic fiction, and information narrative.)
  • Genre Exploration (20 min):
    • Provide students with examples of books or short stories from each genre. Use the ones from GetEpic or the ones in the teacher resources list, or provide your own.
    • Divide students into groups and assign each group one of the three genres –  biography, informational narrative and realistic fiction. 
    • Instruct students to read and discuss the assigned genre, noting its unique characteristics, elements, and examples from the text.
    • Alternative Option: Play the Genre Game. Children spin the wheel by turn, and then the child gives an example of a book or movie of the genre on which the arrow lands.
  • Genre Presentations (10 min):
    • Have each group present their assigned genre to the class and encourage students to share their observations, including key features and themes, and have students explain the characteristics that make the particular genre.
    • Allow students time to brainstorm and write the characteristics that make up the genre (Use this template or modify it to meet your needs)
  • Closure of Lesson (05 min):
    • Invite a few students to share the books and explain what genre it is
    • Encourage students to continue exploring different genres to expand their reading preferences.
  • Tips:

Select picture books and use book covers or illustrations to enhance understanding of Genres.