AdLit
Ad lit.org: Blending Multiple Genres in Theme Baskets
The theme-basket concept of literature instruction combines several approaches known to work with marginalized readers, students with learning disabilities, and ELLs: 1) a thematic approach to teaching literature, 2) the use of...
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Story, Identity, Unity
Delve into the art of storytelling in this self-guided unit. Multiple topics are covered such as literary genres, the 7 elements of fiction, figurative language, theme, characterization, etc. At the end of the unit, write your own flash...
Other
Database of Award Winning Children's Literature
This is a phenomenal resource. It allows the user to create a reading list of quality children's literature based of choices such as reading level, type of book, genre, ethnicity, gender, etc. In addition, one can determine if a book won...
Other
Personal Site: Travel Literature in the Medieval Period
A nice description of the literary genre known as "travel literature" as it was seen during the Middle Ages in Europe. The author notes that many times, medieval writers would make up exotic creatures to entertain their readers.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Ninth Literature and Composition
This is an introduction to a unit on writing in various genre including Nonfiction, Narrative, Literary Writing, Short Stories, and Poetry. Analysis of "The Odyssey", "To Kill a Mockingbird", "Romeo and Juliet". Click on the View links...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Artifacts and Fiction: Workshop in American Literature
This workshop, which is divided into eight segments, teaches how to use primary source artifacts from a variety of genres to support the teaching and learning of specific pieces of literature. The genres include visual arts, political...
Other
Literature Learning Ladders: Literature Based Web Quests
A large compilation of high-quality literature-based WebQuests organized by grade range, K-2, 3-6, middle and high (30-50 quests per range). Most relate to specific books; a few explore general themes or genres, e.g., where authors get...
Other
Twentieth Century Poetry in English
The work of many major poets can be reached through links at this site. Includes biographical information on poets and many works.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Everyone Loves a Mystery a Genre Study
Contains plans for lessons that teach about the mystery story genre, including its story elements and vocabulary. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to sites used in the lessons as well as...
Luminarium
Luminarium: Essays and Research on the Renaissance
Use this comprehensive site to learn more about English Renaissance Literature. This site is a gold mine of information. It has several essays that illuminate this genre. Find out more about this period in literature through this...
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Print and Perception
Margaret Cavendish and Katherine Philips both wrote across a range of genres and achieved considerable success in their day. This article explores their different approaches to the difficulties of being a 17th-century female writer.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: The Rise of the Novel
This article explains how the novel took shape in the 18th century with the works of Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, and Laurence Sterne, and how the book industry responded to the new genre.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Neoclassicism
Writers and craftsmen including Alexander Pope, John Dryden, Jonathan Swift, and Josiah Wedgwood found inspiration in the classical period. This article explores how their works adopted the style, genres, aesthetic values, and subjects...
British Library
British Library: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Discovering Literature
Uncover 19th-century connections from Darwin to Jack the Ripper, play a Gothic genre word game, and examine how the novel has been depicted in illustrations, book covers and photographs. [PDF]
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: A Close Reading of Chaucer's 'The Merchant's Prologue and Tale'
This article introduces 'The Merchant's Prologue and Tale', exploring the way in which it combines literary genres and traditions, and refuses to give the reader a clear moral or message.
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Julius Caesar Analysis: Literary Devices in Julius Caesar
A discussion of the literary devices used by Shakespeare in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Each device is linked to additional pages with more detailed information and examples.
Austin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District: A Taxonomy of Literary Genre [Pdf]
A series of graphic organizers shows the progression of learning about literary genre, beginning in kindergarten and building through to fifth grade.
Victorian Web
The Victorian Web: Realism
This Victorian Web site defines realism as used in literature and as a "nineteenth-century movement that believed novelists and painters should concentrate on describing the physical, material details of life."
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Gothic Undercurrents: Edgar Allan Poe
This biography features Edgar Allan Poe who introduced the genre of horror and mystery to literature in the nineteenth century with stories such as "The Raven."
Harold D. Underdown
The Purple Crayon: Resources About Agents for Writers
A comprehensive research guide for writers who are interested in finding an agent. Rich with information and helpful hints; site is suited for children's literature writers but can also apply to other genres.
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Animal Farm Analysis: Literary Devices in Animal Farm
This site provides a literary analysis of Animal Farm by George Orwell using the literary devices in the novel including symbolism, imagery, allegory, setting, point of view, genre, tone, writing style, plot analysis and more.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary Term: Drama
The University of Victoria's English department gives a comprehensive definition of "drama" in writing.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Movements: Gothic, Novel, and Romance
This site defines and identifies characteristics for the Romance, the novel, and the Gothic novel. Uses good examples to distinguish between these genres.
Harold D. Underdown
Writing Young Adult and Children's Fiction and Fantasy
A great article concerning writing children's literature, especially in the area of fantasy or science fiction. The author provides information concerning how to develop characters, creating literary elements, and discusses some pitfalls...