ABSTRACT
Understanding genres The distinction between genre and form has been made elsewhere (see page 46).
When asking pupils to think about which genre they’d like to write in, the idea of
motifs (page 64) can be useful. A motif is a detail that helps to describe and define
the broader context of the genre. Sometimes pupils – and adults too – become
confused between certain genres. Mixing up Science Fiction and Fantasy is a
common mistake I’ve met. Helping young writers to be clear about what any genre
might contain is a positive first step in helping them to work at this level.
