Genres

          This week in English I learned about genres. A genre is basically what category a book belongs in. There are many genres, including science fiction, horror, comedy, and mythology. Everyone usually likes different genres, and they can even have more than one.

          The main two categories that make up genres are fiction and non-fiction. Fiction means fake, and non-fiction means fact. Most books are fiction, even if they are based on real events. If they have a made up character, they are fiction. Non-fiction books are supposed to be completely, historically true. These two categories make up genres.

           Non-fiction stories include biographies and autobiographies. These are books written about a person with complete facts by that person or by another person. Biographies and autobiographies are both genres.

           Fiction books include historical fiction and realistic fiction. These are books written in and about historical events, but have fake characters, and books about things that could actually happen, but have not happened. There is also science fiction, horror, and allegory. Allegory is a written piece of art, that is not always a book, where the reader comes up with their own theme, whatever they think it is. The characters and events represent and symbolize ideas and concepts. Other fiction genres are fantasy, mythology, fables, comedy, and satire (a piece of writing designed to make the reader or crowd laugh, but think about the joke. Basically created to fool, humiliate and or lower someone through articles and websites).

            Many people have certain genres that they like the most. For historical fiction, there is The Cat of Bubastis by G. A. Henty. Henty does a fantastic job at writing in this genre. There is also Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, Treasure Island and Around the World in 80 Days by Robert Louis Stevenson are all examples of science fiction. One of my favorite books is an allegory, and it is A Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Finally, a book in the mythology genre is Perseus and Medusa.

           I love to read books, and I think it is very interesting to learn about different genres of books, so that you can learn more. I believe that everyone should read the kind of book they love, but people should read the right kind of books that teach us lessons and fill our heads with good thoughts. Reading different books helps me read better, and it encourages me to use better vocabulary and to write better, which everyone needs.