Literary Genres
Overview
A literary genre is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or even (as in the case of fiction) length. The distinctions between genres and categories are flexible and loosely defined, often with subgroups. The most general genres in literature are (in loose chronological order) epic, tragedy, comedy, novel, and short story. They can all be in the genres prose or poetry, which are also the genres, along with drama, in the subset of genres of fiction.
History of Literary Genres
The concept of genre has been known since ancient times. Aristotle, in his Poetics, identified four main genres: tragedy, epic, comedy, and parody. During the Middle Ages, the concept of genre continued to evolve, with new genres such as the romance and the novella emerging. In the modern era, the concept of genre has become increasingly complex, with the development of sub-genres and cross-genres.
Classification of Literary Genres
Literary genres are often grouped into broader categories known as modes. These modes include the following:
Fiction
Fiction is a form of narrative which deals, in part or in whole, with events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary and invented by its author(s). Examples of fiction genres include: fantasy, science fiction, mystery, romance, and horror.
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is a narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are believed by the author to be factual. Examples of non-fiction genres include: biography, essay, journal, and history.
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art which uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the prosaic ostensible meaning. Examples of poetry genres include: sonnet, haiku, epic, and limerick.
Drama
Drama is a genre that relies on the emotional and relational development of realistic characters. While Drama is often infused with elements from a combination of other genres, it is not a mix of genre. Examples of drama genres include: tragedy, comedy, and melodrama.
Characteristics of Literary Genres
Each literary genre has unique characteristics that distinguish it from other genres. These characteristics may include the setting, plot structure, themes, and stylistic devices used.
Fiction
Fiction genres are often characterized by their setting or theme. For example, science fiction often takes place in a futuristic or alternative reality setting, while fantasy often involves a world with magical or supernatural elements.
Non-fiction
Non-fiction genres are often characterized by their subject matter. For example, biographies focus on the life of a single individual, while history books focus on a specific period or event in history.
Poetry
Poetry genres are often characterized by their structure and style. For example, sonnets have a specific structure of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme, while haikus have a structure of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable count.
Drama
Drama genres are often characterized by their tone and the nature of the conflict. For example, tragedies often have a serious tone and involve a conflict that leads to the downfall of the main character, while comedies often have a lighter tone and involve conflicts that are resolved in a humorous way.
Impact of Literary Genres
Literary genres have a significant impact on how a piece of literature is interpreted and understood. They provide a framework for understanding the themes and messages of a work, and they can also influence the reader's emotional response to the work.
See Also
