Writing genres are those works of literature that are distinguished by shared literary conventions, for example, similarities in topic, theme, style, character types, subject matter, common settings, and an overall predictable form.
Genre is a label that characterizes elements a reader can expect in a work of literature. The major forms of literature can be written in various genres.
Genres may fall under one of two categories:
- Fiction is non-factual descriptions and events invented by the author
- Non-fiction is a communication in which descriptions and events are understood to be factual
Genres of fiction
- Classic – any creative narrative that has either been given special recognition or deemed worthy of academic discussion. Most common uses of the phrase generally refer to prose works such as novels, or short stories, which have been acknowledged as having some literary significance or merit.
- Contemporary – living or occurring at the same time.
- Drama – the genre of literature that is subject for compositions in verse or prose presenting a story through dialogue and performance, usually for theatrical performance.
- Fable – a fictional story, in prose or verse, with a specific moral or lesson that is conveyed to the reader. It tells a story through the use of animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are given human qualities. These are often considered to be a sub-genre of fantasy.
- Fantasy – a form of literary genre that includes magical and/or supernatural elements as part of the plot, setting, or theme. Mythology and folklore often play a strong part in fantasy literature.
- Fairy Tale – a story that features magical characters such as fairies, elves, goblins, witches, wizards angels, trolls, and talking animals. Fairy tales are often intended for children.
- Folklore – is the oral history that is preserved by the people of the culture. It is in the form of music, stories, history, legends, and myths that are passed down from generation to generation and is kept alive by the people in the culture. It is a genre of literature that is widely held, but false and based on unsubstantiated beliefs.
- Historical fiction – stories that are written to portray a time period or convey information about a specific time period or a historical event. Usually, the event or time period is about 30 years in the past.
- Horror – a genre of fiction that is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten, scare, disgust, or startle its readers or viewers by inducing feelings of horror and terror.
- Humor – a literary genre that is full of fun, fancy, and excitement, and that makes the audience laugh or intends to induce amusement or laughter. This genre of literature can actually be seen and contained within all genres.
- Legend – a genre of folklore that tells about a particular person or place.
- Mystery – a genre of fiction that deals with the solution of a crime or the revealing of secrets.
- Mythology – legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveal human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods.
- Poetry – a verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response from the reader.
- Realistic fiction – a story that can actually happen and is true to real life
- Science fiction – a literary genre whose content is imaginative, but based in science. Often called sci-fi, it speculates about the alternative ways of life made possible by technological change.
- Short story – fiction of great brevity, usually supports no subplots.
- Thriller – a literary genre whose primary feature is that it induces strong feelings of excitement, anxiety, tension, suspense, fear, and other similar emotions in its readers or viewers – in other words, a genre that thrills the audience.
- Tall tale – a humorous story with blatant exaggeration, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with an air of nonchalance.
Genres of non-fiction
- Narrative nonfiction – information based on the fact that is presented in a format which tells a story.
- Essays – a short literary composition that reflects the author’s outlook or point. A short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.
- Biography – a written account of another person’s life.
- Autobiography – a self-written account of the life of oneself.
- Speech – public address or disclosure
- Instruction manual – an instruction book that is supplied with consumer products such as vehicles, home appliances, toys, and computer peripherals
- Journalism – reporting on news and current events
- Memoir – a long-form written work, which is a firsthand, personal account that focuses on a specific experience or situation.
- Reference books – such as a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, almanac, or atlas
- Self-help book – information with the intention of instructing readers on solving personal problems
- Textbook – authoritative and detailed factual description of a thing.
