What are Genres? How do I classify a book?
There are two main types
of reading material --
fiction
and
non-fiction.
Both types may be further divided into genres. A genre is simply a
fancy name for a group of books which share style, form, or content. Knowing the
genre of a favorite book is helpful, because you can then search for other books
of that genre. Many times a book can fit into more than one genre - if so,
choose the one that most closely fits the style of the book.
Non-fiction
All of the
information in a non-fiction book is based on the known true facts. Nothing can
be made up. Non-fiction books include how-to books, science books, history
books, biographies, autobiographies and much more. Non-fiction books can be
about any subject.
Biography
A biography is
the story of a real person's life, written or told by another person.
Biographies may be located in a section of their own in some libraries and may
be labeled B for biography or use the Dewy Decimal System Classification number
of 92 and then are listed in alphabetical order by who the book is about.
Biographies of 2 or more people in the same book use the Dewey Classification
number of 920. At BJHS, biographies and autobiographies have their own section
and bookcase in the library.
Autobiography
An
autobiography is the story of a real person's life, written or told by that
person. Autobiographies are found in the same place as the
biographies in the library.
Fiction
Fictional
stories may be based on actual events or people or may be based entirely on the
author's imagination, but fictional stories all
contain elements that are made-up or created by the author.
Realistic Fiction
Fictional
stories that take place in modern time, right here and now. The characters are
involved in events that could really happen.
Mystery/Suspense
Fictional
stories, usually realistic, about a mysterious event which is not explained or
a crime that is not solved until the end of the story to keep the reader in
suspense.
Adventure
Adventure fiction is distinguished by
fast-paced, continuing action as well as the heroism and desperate survival of
the main character. There are many types of adventure stories, such as disaster
adventure (involves a natural disaster such as an earthquake or natural
phenomenon), espionage adventure (spies and secret agents), exotic adventure (in
far off places), military, survival, thrillers (lots of action and narrow
escapes).
Fantasy
Fiction that
contains elements that are NOT realistic, such as talking animals, magical
powers, etc. Make-believe is what this genre is all about.
Science Fiction
Stories which
include futuristic technology; a blend of scientific fact and fictional
elements.
Historical Fiction
Stories which
take place in a particular time period in the past. Often the basic setting is
real, but the characters are fictional.
Poetry
Poetry is verse
written to create a response of thought and feeling from the reader. It often
uses rhythm and rhyme to help convey its
meaning. Poetry collections are usually found in the non-fiction section of the
library under the Dewey Decimal Classification numbers 808 - 811. Occasionally a
novel may be written in free verse form and is found in the fiction section of
the library, or a picture book of a poem may be found in the easy section.
Anime/Manga
Manga are Japanese comic books. Manga is
often made into Japanese cartoons, or Anime. The art in Anime and Manga has a
very definite look to it and is often referred to as “Manga Style.” In libraries
these are also sometimes referred to as graphic novels. Many anime and manga
books are read from right to left (in America, this is seen as reading from the
back to the front of the book). This genre has become so popular with young
adult and adult readers that publishers are also creating graphic novel
adaptations of famous literature or nonfiction books of historic events.
Thanks to the Book Nuts Reading Club website for some of these genre definitions - http://www.booknutsreadingclub.com/genrelist.html