Identifying Genres - The Curriculum Corner 4-5-6 - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to match each description with the correct genre from the list.

The genres given are:
- Play
- Humor
- Mystery
- Informational
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Realistic Fiction
- Historical Fiction

Now, let’s read each definition and pick the best match:

1. “A story that takes place in the future; it often includes science and technology.”
→ That’s Science Fiction. Think of robots, space travel, or futuristic cities.

2. “A story that is written to make readers laugh.”
→ That’s Humor. Jokes, funny situations, silly characters — all meant to make you giggle.

3. “A story that takes place in the present time; it includes events that could happen.”
→ This is Realistic Fiction. It feels real — like something that could actually happen today.

4. “Writing that is true and factual; it often contains charts, diagrams, and photographs.”
→ That’s Informational. Like a textbook or article telling you facts about animals, planets, or history.

5. “A suspenseful story centered around a puzzling event; it includes clues.”
→ That’s Mystery. Someone solves a crime or puzzle using hints along the way.

6. “A story that contains events that could never happen in real life.”
→ That’s Fantasy. Magic, dragons, talking animals — things that don’t exist in our world.

7. “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.”
→ Wait — this says “informative” but also “about events in the past.” But look at the options: we have Historical Fiction (which is stories set in the past) and Informational (which is factual). However, note that #4 already used “Informational” for factual writing with charts/photos. This one says “informative writing about events that happened in the past” — that sounds more like nonfiction history, BUT since “Historical Fiction” is on the list and it’s defined as fictional stories set in the past, we need to be careful.

Wait — let’s check #9 too:
9. “A fictional story that takes place in the past; often the setting is real but the characters are made up.” → That’s clearly Historical Fiction.

So #7 must be referring to *nonfiction* historical writing — but “Informational” was already used in #4. Hmm. Let’s re-read #7: “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.” If it’s truly informative (factual), then it should still be Informational, even if it’s about the past. But we can’t use “Informational” twice.

Wait — maybe there’s a trick? Let’s look again at the definitions.

Actually, looking back:

#4: “Writing that is true and factual; it often contains charts, diagrams, and photographs.” → Definitely Informational

#7: “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.” → This might be trying to describe Historical Nonfiction, but that’s not on the list. The only option left that fits “past events” is Historical Fiction, but that’s fictional.

But wait — #9 is clearly Historical Fiction. So perhaps #7 is misworded? Or maybe it’s still Informational? But we can’t repeat.

Hold on — let’s count how many definitions there are: 9 definitions, and 8 genres listed. Oh! There are 9 blanks and only 8 genres? No — let me recount the genres:

Listed genres:
Play
Humor
Mystery
Informational
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction

That’s 8 genres.

But there are 9 questions. That means one genre will be used twice? Or maybe I missed one?

Wait — looking back at the image text provided: the user wrote:

“Play
Humor
Mystery
Informational
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction”

Yes, 8 genres.

But 9 definitions. That suggests one genre is used twice? Or perhaps “Play” hasn’t been used yet?

Let’s continue matching and see.

We have:

1. Science Fiction
2. Humor
3. Realistic Fiction
4. Informational
5. Mystery
6. Fantasy
7. ???
8. ???
9. Historical Fiction

What’s left? We haven’t used Play yet.

Look at #8: “A story that is acted out; it contains a script, stage directions, and dialogue.” → That’s definitely a Play.

Then what about #7? “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.”

If we’ve already used Informational for #4, and Historical Fiction for #9, then #7 might be intended to be Informational again? But that doesn’t make sense.

Wait — perhaps #7 is describing Historical Nonfiction, but since that’s not an option, and “Informational” covers any factual writing regardless of time period, maybe #7 is also Informational? But we can’t assign the same answer twice unless instructed.

Alternatively, maybe I made a mistake earlier.

Let me double-check #3: “A story that takes place in the present time; it includes events that could happen.” → Realistic Fiction — yes.

#9: “A fictional story that takes place in the past...” → Historical Fiction — yes.

#8: Acted out, script, etc. → Play — yes.

That leaves #7: “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.”

Perhaps this is meant to be Historical Fiction? But no, because #9 is clearly Historical Fiction.

Unless... maybe #7 is Informational and #4 is something else? But #4 says “true and factual” with charts — that’s classic informational text.

Another thought: maybe “Informative writing about events in the past” is referring to Historical Fiction? But that contradicts #9.

I think there might be a wording issue, but based on standard definitions:

- #7 should be Informational if it's factual, but since #4 is already Informational, and we have 9 items, perhaps the worksheet allows reuse? Unlikely.

Wait — let’s list all matches again carefully:

1. Future + sci/tech → Science Fiction ✔
2. Make readers laugh → Humor ✔
3. Present time, could happen → Realistic Fiction ✔
4. True/factual, charts/photos → Informational ✔
5. Suspenseful, puzzling, clues → Mystery ✔
6. Could never happen → Fantasy ✔
7. Informative, past events → ?
8. Acted out, script, dialogue → Play ✔
9. Fictional, past, real setting, made-up chars → Historical Fiction ✔

Only #7 left, and only genre not used is... none? All 8 are used except we have 9 questions.

Genres used so far:
1. Science Fiction
2. Humor
3. Realistic Fiction
4. Informational
5. Mystery
6. Fantasy
8. Play
9. Historical Fiction

Missing: none — all 8 are used, but we have 9 questions. That means one genre is used twice.

Which one makes sense for #7?

#7: “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.”

If it’s informative (factual), it should be Informational, same as #4.

Perhaps the worksheet intends for #7 to be Informational as well, even though it’s repeated.

Maybe “Historical Fiction” is for #7? But #9 is clearly Historical Fiction.

Another idea: perhaps #7 is Historical Fiction and #9 is something else? But #9 says “fictional story... past... characters made up” — that’s textbook Historical Fiction.

I think the most logical conclusion is that #7 is also Informational, because it’s describing nonfiction writing about past events — which falls under informational texts.

In many curricula, "informational text" includes both current and historical facts.

So I’ll assign:

7. Informational (again)

But let’s confirm if there’s another possibility.

Is there a genre called “Nonfiction History”? Not on the list.

Perhaps the word “informative” in #7 is key — it’s not “story”, it’s “writing”, so likely nonfiction → Informational.

Whereas #9 specifies “fictional story”.

So yes, #7 is Informational.

But we already used Informational for #4. Is that allowed? In some worksheets, genres can be reused, especially if the definition fits.

Perhaps I misassigned #4.

#4: “Writing that is true and factual; it often contains charts, diagrams, and photographs.” — this is very specific to expository/informational text.

#7: “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.” — this is also informational, just focused on history.

So both are Informational.

Maybe the worksheet has a typo, but based on logic, I’ll go with that.

Alternatively, let’s see if “Historical Fiction” could fit #7 — but no, because #7 says “informative writing”, implying nonfiction, while Historical Fiction is fiction.

So final decision:

7. Informational

But to avoid duplication, perhaps the intended answer for #7 is Historical Fiction? But that conflicts with #9.

Wait — let’s read #9 again: “A fictional story that takes place in the past; often the setting is real but the characters are made up.” — that’s Historical Fiction.

#7: “An informative writing about events that happened in the past.” — this is not a story, it’s informative writing — so nonfiction.

Therefore, it must be Informational.

Perhaps the list of genres is incomplete, but based on what’s given, I think we have to use Informational for both #4 and #7.

Maybe “Play” is for #8, and that’s fine.

Another thought: is there a genre called “Biography” or “History”? Not on the list.

I think for the sake of completing the task, I’ll assign:

7. Informational

Even though it’s repeated.

Perhaps the student is expected to notice that.

Let’s list all answers:

1. Science Fiction
2. Humor
3. Realistic Fiction
4. Informational
5. Mystery
6. Fantasy
7. Informational ← repeated
8. Play
9. Historical Fiction

But that seems odd.

Wait — let’s look back at the original problem statement. The user said: “Identify the genre being describe from the list below.” and lists 8 genres for 9 descriptions. That implies one genre is used twice.

And the only one that makes sense to repeat is Informational, since both #4 and #7 describe factual writing.

Perhaps #7 is meant to be "Historical Nonfiction" but since it's not listed, and "Informational" is the closest, we use that.

I think that's the best we can do.

So final assignments:

1. Science Fiction
2. Humor
3. Realistic Fiction
4. Informational
5. Mystery
6. Fantasy
7. Informational
8. Play
9. Historical Fiction

But let's verify #8: "A story that is acted out; it contains a script, stage directions, and dialogue." — yes, that's a Play.

And #9: fictional, past, real setting, made-up characters — Historical Fiction.

#7: informative writing about past events — Informational.

Okay, I'll go with that.

Final Answer:
1. Science Fiction
2. Humor
3. Realistic Fiction
4. Informational
5. Mystery
6. Fantasy
7. Informational
8. Play
9. Historical Fiction