The multiple genres strand focuses on literary elements and
characteristics of different genres across a variety of diverse texts. In the literary elements sub-strand, students learn to
recognize and analyze common elements in literary texts, including theme,
characterization, plot, and setting. For example, students examine plot development, including rising action, climax,
falling action, and resolution. The student expectations are progressive, and students are expected to analyze
increasingly more advanced aspects of literary elements at each grade level. In the genre sub-strand, students
learn the characteristics, structures, and purposes of different genres. At
every grade level, students read and analyze a variety of literary texts. In elementary, students focus on the
characteristics of children's literature such as folk tales and myths. In
middle school, students examine various literary genres such as historical fiction. And in high school, students explore world,
American, and British literature across literary periods.
Students at each grade level also analyze genre characteristics of poetry and drama.
Informational text is also addressed at each grade level.
Students understand and analyze the central idea or thesis and
supporting evidence of informational texts as well as common text features and
organizational patterns.
Students also examine the characteristics of persuasive and argumentative texts. In
kindergarten to grade 2, students explore persuasive text before moving on to argumentative texts beginning in third grade. When reading
argumentative texts, students identify the intended audience and examine the claim and the facts for and against the argument.
Finally, students identify and analyze
characteristics of digital and multimodal texts.
Digital text is an electronic version of written text with features such as images, hyperlinks, or other interactive elements. A
multi-modal text integrates two or more modes of communication
such as still or moving images, sound, or writing.
It's important to remember that students are expected to read and analyze increasingly more complex texts. As students advance,
they should have opportunities to engage with text that features more complex content, language, or structure.
Learn more about the multiple genres strand by exploring the alignments tab of the TEKS Guide below.