Introduction To Literary Genres

Introduction to Literary Genres
Defined simply as the “art of words,” literature comes in various meanings. Rexroth (2020) defines
literature as “those imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their
authors and the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution.” Citing the 11th edition of Merriam-
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Rexroth adds that literature are “writings having excellence of form or
expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.” These definitions point out two
important aspects of literature: excellence and expression. For a work to be considered literature, it
should not simply express humankind’s thoughts, feelings, experiences and aspirations, but should also
reflect merit and brilliance of expression. Due to the depth and breadth of literature, various academics
have classified it based on its different aspects such as content, technique, tone, or simply definition. On
the basis of content, literature is divided into two major forms – fiction and nonfiction. As to techniques
used, literature is also classified into prose and poetry. Genre refers to a type of art, literature, or music
characterized by a distinct form, content, and style. In literature, there are four literary genres: poetry,
drama, fiction, and nonfiction. All these literary genres have specific functions and features which
distinguish one from the others. As readers of literature, part of understanding a text is knowing to
which genre a material belongs since the message it conveys may be affected by certain conventions.
When you have mastered what distinguishes one from the other, it is easier to grasp what the writer is
trying to tell you hence putting you in a better position to think critically about the material you have
read. Different genres also have different roles. Fiction, for instance, may let you into a world which is
totally different from ours. Poetry may enrich your emotional and imaginative powers while drama can
help improve your communicative competencies. Nonfiction essays can give you insights about life or it
may lead you to think critically or persuasively about things and ideas around you. Whatever genre you
read, it is imperative that you have an understanding of what delineates one from the other for you to
balance your expectations of a particular literary work’s distinct conventions and style.
Fiction
Fiction Defined
Fiction refers to a literary work which comes from the author’s imagination.
Through the fictional narrative, a writer may inform, entertain, inspire, or even
persuade (Littlehale, 2020). Fiction has three categories: realistic, non-realistic, and
semi-fiction. MasterClass (2019) classifies fiction into 14 different forms including the
following:
1. Literary Fiction. It refers to literary works with artistic value and literary merit.
Political criticism, social commentary, and reflections on humanity are most
often the content of literary fiction. Contrary to plot-driven works, they are
typically character-driven, and places emphasis and focus on the inner story
of the character.
2. Mystery. Also known as detective fiction, mystery often follows a plot with a
detective as character or someone playing detective and tries to solve a case
with a sprinkling of clues here and there, giving the readers a feel for
suspense, creates anticipation, and ultimately bares the truth with some
unexpected turns with nonetheless satisfying conclusions.
3. Thriller. This fiction type is characterized by dark, mysterious and
suspenseful plots. It rarely utilizes humor but highlights techniques like plot
twists, red herrings, and cliffhangers which can keep readers guessing until
the very end.
4. Horror. Written to shock, startle, scare, and even repulse the readers, horror
fiction creates a horrifying sense of dread and may include characters like
ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and monsters. Horror themes may be
of death, demons, evil spirits, the afterlife, and even fear itself.
5. Historical. This type of fiction involves the creative use of research to be able
to transport readers to another time and place. This time and place may be
real, imagined, or a combination of both. Some historical fiction may utilize
characters who were historical figures and use real events in history.
6. Romance. Created with a light-hearted, oftentimes optimistic tone, and most
often a satisfying conclusion, romantic fiction highlights love stories between
people.
7. Western. Stories of this type often portray characters and setting of the
western frontier like cowboys, outlaws, and settlers of the American Old West.
One distinct feature of this form is that it relies mostly on the specific locale,
culture, and language of that era in history.
8. Bildungsroman. Literally translated as “a novel of education” or “a novel of
formation,” this form highlights the transition or metamorphosis of a character
from youth into adulthood. The transition from immaturity to maturity
experienced by the character may involve a profound loss, an insightful

journey, or an intense conflict.
Speculative fiction. This type may be a combination of different fiction forms
like dystopian, science fiction, and fantasy, or any other combination. The
setting may be in a world so unlike the world we live in. Considered as a
supergenre, writers of speculative fiction have limitless use of the possibilities
beyond the human imagination.
10.Science Fiction. Classified under speculative fiction, sci-fi uses elements that
do not exist in the real world. Inspired by both natural science (physics,
chemistry, and astronomy) and social sciences (psychology, anthropology,
and sociology), sci-fi stories may focus on time travel, space exploration, and
societies of the future.
11.Fantasy. Another type of speculative fiction, fantasy has imaginary characters
and worlds and may have influences of mythology and folklore which can be
appealing to both children and adults alike.
12.Dystopian. In contrast to utopian fiction which portrays a world better than the
one we have, dystopian fiction depicts a society that is worse than ours.
Dystopian fiction is also another type of science fiction.
13.Magical realism. The world portrayed in magical realism is similar to our real
world but with added magical elements which are considered “natural” in
which the story takes place.
14.Realist literature. This type of fiction portrays a world very much like ours,
with all the elements created as truthful as it can be as it happens in our
world.

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Introduction to Literary Genres

Political criticism, social commentary, and reflections on humanity are most

detective as character or someone playing detective and tries to solve a case

unexpected turns with nonetheless satisfying conclusions.

3. Thriller. This fiction type is characterized by dark, mysterious and

the very end.

ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and monsters. Horror themes may be

real, imagined, or a combination of both. Some historical fiction may utilize

6. Romance. Created with a light-hearted, oftentimes optimistic tone, and most

often a satisfying conclusion, romantic fiction highlights love stories between

culture, and language of that era in history.

8. Bildungsroman. Literally translated as “a novel of education” or “a novel of

formation,” this form highlights the transition or metamorphosis of a character

from youth into adulthood. The transition from immaturity to maturity

experienced by the character may involve a profound loss, an insightful

Speculative fiction. This type may be a combination of different fiction forms

setting may be in a world so unlike the world we live in. Considered as a

supergenre, writers of speculative fiction have limitless use of the possibilities

beyond the human imagination.

chemistry, and astronomy) and social sciences (psychology, anthropology,

societies of the future.

11.Fantasy. Another type of speculative fiction, fantasy has imaginary characters

appealing to both children and adults alike.

Dystopian fiction is also another type of science fiction.

which the story takes place.

with all the elements created as truthful as it can be as it happens in our

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