Back to Basics
We tend to understand genres intuitively, but articulating their definition can be tricky. These lively resources will have students debating rom-coms, horror, thrillers, sci-fi and more
1 The blurbs
What is it? A unit of work that introduces literary and film genres, including group discussion on four real back-cover blurbs
What users say “Professional quality. Better than most lessons commercially available on the net.”
bit.lyTheBlurbs
2 Guess the genre
What is it? A lesson exploring genre in literature, with a quiz inviting students to guess the genre of book extracts
What users say “Colourful and precise, with opportunities for developing students’ creativity.”
bit.lyGuessTheGenre
3 Rusty ruins
What is it? A clear introduction to determining the genre of a text, including a tale about “rusty ruins” that challenges students to identify the genre of a passage of text
What users say “Excellent resource. Offers a holistic, panoramic overview of recognising the genre of a text.”
bit.lyRustyRuins
4 Learn hard
What is it? A presentation that introduces students to genre in film, making use of trailers for Up and Die Hard with a Vengeance
What users say “Great presentation for beginning to think about key conventions of different genres.”
bit.lyLearnHard
5 Fantasy foundations
What is it? An exploration of the fantasy genre, comparing Shakespeare’s The Tempest to Japanese classic Spirited Away
What users say “A very original and exciting way of accessing Shakespeare.”
bit.lyFantasyFoundations
6 Crime time
What is it? An introduction to genre using crime and horror stories
What users say “A fantastic resource. Really innovative.”
bit.lyTimeForCrime
7 Superplan
What is it? The first in a series of presentations on key features of the superhero genre
What users say “This is good fun and went down great with my class.”
bit.lySuperplan
8 Genre genius
What is it? An overview of genre theory for high-level students
What users say “This resource makes students reflect a lot.”
bit.lyGenreGenius
9 Sci-fi starter
What is it? An introduction to science fiction that leads to creative writing
What users say “Includes a variety of activities and could easily be incorporated into a wider unit of work.”
bit.lyScifiStarter
10 Poster prompt
What is it? The codes and conventions of different genres explored through film posters
What users say “A real time and sanity saver. Exactly what I was going to make myself, but now I don’t have to.”
bit.lyPosterPrompt.
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