List of literary genres


Literary genres' are determined by literary technique, tone, content and by critics' definitions of the genres.

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Classifications of literature

The following is a list of genres in literature.

Further information: Literature

A literary genre is a category, type or class of literature.

Major forms of literature

The major forms of Literature are:

Various works of literature are written in and further categorized by genre. Sometimes forms are used interchangeably to define genre. However, a form, e.g., a novel or a poem, can be written in any genre. 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. Genre is a category characterized by similarities in style, or subject matter.

The classic major genres of Literature are:

Genre categories: fiction and nonfiction

Genre may fall under one of two categories: Fiction and Nonfiction. Any genre can be either: a work of Fiction (nonfactual descriptions and events invented by the author) or a work of Nonfiction (a communication in which descriptions and events are understood to be factual).

Common genres: fiction

Subsets of genres, known as common genres, have developed from the archetypes of genres in written expression. The common genres included in recommended Literaturin verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action

Common genres: nonfiction

Literary fiction vs. genre fiction

Literary fiction is a term used to distinguish certain fictional works that possess commonly held qualitiesls to readers outside genre fiction. Literary fiction has been defined as any fiction that attempts to engage with one or more truths or questions, hence relevant to a broad scope of humanity as a form of expression. There are many sources that help readers find and define literary fiction and genre fiction.[1][2]

Genres and subgenres

Some genres listed may reappear throughout the list, indicating cross-genre status.

Nonfiction genres

These are genres belonging to the realm of nonfiction. Some genres listed may reappear throughout the list, indicating cross-genre status.

References

  1. ↑ Nancy Pearl, Now Read This: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, Libraries Unlimited, 1999, 432 pp. (1-56308-659-X)
  2. ↑ Saricks, J. (2001). The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. Chicago and London: American Library Association.
  3. ↑ https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/jewish-fiction