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Genres of Literature
Genres of literature are
important to learn about. The two main categories separating the different
genres of literature are fiction and nonfiction. There are several genres of
literature that fall under the nonfiction category. Nonfiction sits in direct
opposition to fiction. Examples from both the fiction and nonfiction genres of
literature are explained in detail below. This detailed genres of literature
list is a great resource to share with any scholars.
Types of Nonfiction:
Narrative Nonfiction is information
based on fact that is presented in a format which tells a story.
Essays are 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.
A Biography is a written account of another
person’s life.
An Autobiography gives the history of a
person’s life, written or told by that person. Often written in Narrative form
of their person’s life.
Speech is the faculty
or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one’s thoughts and
emotions by speech, sounds, and gesture. Generally delivered in the form of an
address or discourse.
Finally there is the general genre of Nonfiction.
This is Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject. This
genre of literature offers opinions or conjectures on facts and reality. This
includes biographies, history, essays, speech, and narrative non fiction.
Nonfiction opposes fiction and is distinguished from those fiction genres of
literature like poetry and drama which is the next section we will discuss.
Types of Fiction:
Drama is the genre
of literature that’s subject for compositions is dramatic art in the way it is
represented. This genre is stories composed in verse or prose, usually for
theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through
dialogue and action.
Poetry is verse and
rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response from the
reader. The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition, written or spoken. This
genre of literature is for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or
elevated thoughts.
Fantasy is the forming
of mental images with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction
which invites suspension of reality.
Humor is the faculty
of perceiving what is amusing or comical. Fiction full of fun, fancy, and
excitement which meant to entertain. This genre of literature can actually be
seen and contained within all genres.
A Fable is a story about supernatural or
extraordinary people Usually in the form of narration that demonstrates a
useful truth. In Fables, animals often speak as humans that are legendary and
supernatural tales.
Fairy Tales or wonder
tales are a kind of folktale or fable. Sometimes the stories are about fairies
or other magical creatures, usually for children.
Science Fiction is a story
based on impact of potential science, either actual or imagined. Science
fiction is one of the genres of literature that is set in the future or on
other planets.
Short Story is fiction of
such briefness that is not able to support any subplots.
Realistic Fiction is a story
that can actually happen and is true to real life.
Folklore are songs,
stories, myths, and proverbs of a person of “folk” that was handed down by word
of mouth. Folklore is a genre of literature that is widely held, but false and
based on unsubstantiated beliefs.
Historical Fiction is a story
with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.
Horror is an
overwhelming and painful feeling caused by literature that is frightfully
shocking, terrifying, or revolting. Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of
dread in both the characters and the reader.
A Tall Tale is a humorous story with blatant
exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with an here of
nonchalance.
Legend is a story
that sometimes of a national or folk hero. Legend is based on fact but also
includes imaginative material.
Mystery is a genre of
fiction that deals with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.
Anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown.
Mythology is a type of
legend or traditional narrative. This is often based in part on historical events,
that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often
pertaining to the actions of the gods. A body of myths, as that of a particular
people or that relating to a particular person.
Fiction in Verse is full-length
novels with plot, subplots, themes, with major and minor characters. Fiction of
verse is one of the genres of literature in which the
narrative is usually presented in blank verse form.
The genre of Fiction can be defined as
narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is
not necessarily based on fact. In fiction something is feigned, invented, or
imagined; a made-up story.
The Oxford English Dictionary is a great place to consult for
any further definitions of the different genres of literature explained
here.
