Oral or written, words paint pictures that no other medium can fully capture. Literature takes many forms, from stories to plays, songs, and even technical text, all of which can be found in cultures across the globe. The origins, themes, and elements common to each, as well as the features that distinguish one form from another are considered in-depth in these engrossing volumes. Readers will also be introduced to notable authors of each form and are given the tools to try writing their own pieces in each genre. Features include: Stories are compared and contrasted to develop critical thinking. Readers are introduced to various types of texts included in the Common Core English Language Arts Standards. A Write Your Own section in each book encourages readers to tell stories in their own words.