Believe it or not, these same rules apply when you read. Reading uses a slightly different “G” word. The word is genre. Different genres contain different elements of information. Mature readers adjust their mental behaviors just like you adjust your topics of conversation.
BREAKING IT DOWN
Genre (pronounced zhahn-ruh) is a French term meaning kind or type. Genre standardizes a set of expectations and eliminates confusion by placing texts into different groups depending on the elements of information used by the author.
A fiction text is considered fake and requires the reader to use the characters, setting and conflicts to make meaning. The author’s message tends to teach the reader about life through a recurring theme. The purpose of reading from the fiction genre is for enjoyment and pleasure. Examples of fiction include humor, mystery, romance and science fiction novels.
A nonfiction text is considered not fake and requires the reader to determine the author’s purpose, learn new vocabulary words and make connections between the main ideas and supporting details. The purpose of reading from the nonfiction genre is to learn information. You must always read nonfiction texts with caution by identifying the author’s point of view and the sources used. Not everything written down is to be believed. Examples of nonfiction include textbooks, newspapers, cookbooks and biographies.
Poetry is the last type of genre. Even though poetry could be fiction or nonfiction, the author expects to have a completely different conversation with you. The author wants you to notice the rhyme, sensory images and figurative language within the poem. The purpose of reading from the poetry genre could be for enjoyment or to learn. Examples of poetry include free verse, couplets, haiku, and sonnets.
Mature readers know the importance of having a variety of experiences with different genres. Each experience aids in establishing expectations and learning structures, which increase the fluency of metal tasks used for comprehension. Just as gender guided your topics for discussion, genre guides your mind for selecting the important information to match the specific genre elements. Before you begin to read, FLIRT with the text by asking yourself, “What genre am I going to read?”
TIME CHECK – Does your mind need a break? Stand up, walk around, get a drink and then come right back. You have two minutes.
CUT IT OUT:
Fiction texts are like listening to your iPod. You can sing all the words because you are familiar with the play list. On the other hand, nonfiction is like listening to talk radio. Each moment is new and unfamiliar. Poetry is like learning words to a new song. The more you replay the song, the easier it is to grasp the meaning and remember the words.
Fiction texts consist of similar elements. Once you have read one mystery novel, you know how to read any mystery novel. Expect to read fiction with a fast and even pace. Skipping unknown words and descriptive paragraphs usually don’t affect the overall meaning of the story. However, you must read the text in order from page one until the end.
Nonfiction texts are packed with new concepts and supporting ideas. Each new concept is broken into small chunks called, “sections.” (See Look at Text Features). This is to help your mind think through and find connections between the main ideas and supporting details. Expect to read nonfiction with an uneven pace. Some sections you will be able to read quickly, some slowly and some you can skip all together. And never skip unknown words as most are needed to build meaning. (see DRIVE for a detailed account of nonfiction reading behaviors).
Poetry can be as complicated as a New York Times crossword puzzle. Don’t be deceived by the small amount of text. Expect to read a poem several times and be prepared to make mental images to help comprehend the author’s message.
Just as gender guideS your topics for discussion, genre guides your mind for selecting the right mental behaviors.
TIME CHECK – Does your mind need a break? Stand up, walk around, get a drink and then come right back. You have two minutes.
REALITY CHECK
It’s time to determine the genre of your books. Check out the front and back cover of the book. Look inside for a table of contents, index, and glossary. If the book lists chapter titles but doesn’t have an index or glossary, chances are the book is fiction. If the book’s chapters are broken into smaller sections with headings, pictures, and bold words, the book is probably nonfiction. Remember, reading is easy once you know how to approach the text.
The next time you pick up a text, take time to determine if it is fiction, nonfiction or poetry so your mind can begin to establish a mental plan of behaviors, strategies and expectations. When you FLIRT before you read, you let the genre guide your mind to successful, focused and purposeful conversations with the author.