List of writing genres

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Main article: Literary genre

Writing genres (more commonly known as literary genres) are categories that distinguish literature (including works of prose, poetry, drama, hybrid forms, etc.) based on some set of stylistic criteria. Sharing literary conventions, they typically consist of similarities in theme/topic, style, tropes, and storytelling devices; common settings and character types; and/or formulaic patterns of character interactions and events, and an overall predictable form.

A literary genre may fall under either one of two categories: (a) a work of fiction, involving non-factual descriptions and events invented by the author; or (b) a work of nonfiction, in which descriptions and events are understood to be factual. In literature, a work of fiction can refer to a short story, novella, and novel, the latter being the longest form of literary prose. Every work of fiction falls into a literary subgenre, each with its own style, tone, and storytelling devices.[1]

Moreover, these genres are formed by shared literary conventions that change over time as new genres are emerge while others fade. Accordingly, they are often defined by the cultural expectations and needs of a particular historical and, cultural moment or place.[2]

According to Alastair Fowler, the following elements can be used to define genres: organizational features (chapters, acts, scenes, stanzas); length; mood; style; the reader’s role (e.g., in mystery works, readers are expected to interpret evidence); and the author’s reason for writing (an epithalamion is a poem composed for marriage).[3]

History[]

Genres are formed by shared literary conventions that change over time as new genres emerge while others fade. As such, genres are not wholly fixed categories of writing; rather, their content evolves according to social and cultural contexts and contemporary questions of morals and norms.[2]

The most enduring genres are those literary forms that were defined and performed by the Ancient Greeks; definitions sharpened by the proscriptions of modern civilization's earliest literary critics and rhetorical scholars, such as Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Aeschylus, Aspasia, Euripides, and others. The prevailing genres of literary composition in Ancient Greece were all written and constructed to explore cultural, moral, or ethical questions; they were ultimately defined as the genres of epic, tragedy, and comedy. Aristotle's proscriptive analysis of tragedy, for example, as expressed in his Rhetoric and Poetics, saw it as having 6 parts (music, diction, plot, character, thought, and spectacle) working together in particular ways. Thus, Aristotle established one of the earliest delineations of the elements that define genre.

Fiction genres[]

  • Children's
  • Classic (or literary fiction): works with artistic/literary merit that are typically character-driven rather than plot-driven, following a character’s inner story. They often include political criticism, social commentary, and reflections on humanity.[1] These works are part of an accepted literary canon and widely taught in schools.
  • Coming-of-age
    • Bildungsroman: works that focus on the psychological and moral growth of a character from youth into adulthood.[1]
  • Epic: a narrative defined by heroic or legendary adventures presented in a long format.
    • Epic poetry: narrative poetry about extraordinary feats occurring in a time before history, involving religious underpinnings and themes.
  • Folklore (folktale)
    • Animal tale
    • Fable: short story that anthropomorphizes non-humans in order to illustrate a moral lesson
    • Fairy tale
    • Ghost story
    • Legend: story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, that has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material
    • Myth: traditional narrative, 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.
    • Parable
    • Personal narrative
    • Urban legend
  • Historical: works that take place in the past—which can be real, imagined, or a combination of both.[1] Many such works involve actual historical figures or historical events within historical settings.
    • Alternate history: fiction in which one or more historical events occur differently than how they transpired in reality. Example: The Man in the High Castle (1962).
    • Historical fantasy
    • Historical mystery
    • Historical romance
    • Nautical fiction
      • Pirate novel
  • Meta (aka romantic irony in the context of Romantic literature): uses self-reference to draw attention to itself as a work of art while exposing the "truth" of a story.
  • Nonsense
    • Nonsense verse
  • Paranoid
  • Philosophical
  • Pop culture: fiction written with the intention of being filled with references from other works and media. Stories in this genre focused solely on using pop culture references.
  • Realist: works that are set in a time and place that are true to life (i.e. that could actually happen in the real world), abiding by real-world laws of nature. They depict real people, places, and stories in order to be as truthful as possible.[1]
  • Religious or inspirational
    • Christian
    • Islamic
    • Theological: fiction that explores the theological ideas that shape attitudes towards religious expression.
    • Visionary
  • Satire: usually fiction and less frequently in non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government, or society itself into improvement.[4]
    • Horatian
    • Juvenalian
    • Menippean
  • Social and political fiction
    • Libertarian sci-fi
    • Social sci-fi
    • Political thriller
  • Thriller (or suspense): typically dark and suspenseful plot-driven fiction involving a person or group facing imminent harm, and the attempts made to evade that harm. Thrillers regularly use plot twists, red herrings, and cliffhangers, and seldom include comedic elements.[1]
  • Urban: fiction set in an urban environment.
  • Western: works that follow cowboys, settlers, and outlaws exploring the American frontier and Old West, typically in the late-19th to early-20th century.[1]
  • Young adult

Action and adventure[]

Action fiction and adventure fiction. The hero’s journey is the most popular narrative structure of an adventure novel.[5]

  • Adventure fantasy
    • Heroic fantasy
    • Lost world
    • Sword-and-sandal
    • Sword-and-sorcery
    • Wuxia
  • Nautical
    • Pirate
  • Robinsonade
  • Spy: fiction involving espionage and establishment of modern intelligence agencies.
    • Spy-Fi: spy fiction that includes elements of science fiction.
  • Subterranean
  • Superhero
  • Survival
    • Picaresque
  • Swashbuckler: fiction based on a time of swordsmen, pirates and ships, and other related ideas, usually full of action.

Comedy[]

Comedy (including comic novel, light poetry, and comedic journalism): usually a fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain and sometimes cause intended laughter; but can be contained in all genres.

    • Burlesque
    • Fantasy
    • Comedy horror
    • Parody
    • Sci-fi
    • Surreal comedy
    • Tall tale: humorous story with blatant exaggerations, such as swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance.
    • Tragicomedy: a work containing elements of both comedy and tragedy.

Crime and mystery[]

Crime fiction (including crime comics) centers on a crime(s), how the criminal gets caught and serves time, and the repercussions of the crime

  • Caper: fiction told from the point of view of the criminals rather than the investigator. Well-known writers in this genre include W. R. Burnett, John Boland, Peter O’Donnell, and Michael Crichton.[6]
  • Giallo
  • Legal thriller
  • Mystery: fiction that follows a crime (e.g., a murder, a disappearance) as it is committed, investigated, and solved, as well as providing clues and revealing information/secrets as the story unfolds.[1]
    • Cozy mystery: mystery fiction that contain no sex, violence, or profanity. Well-known writers in this genre include Dorothy L. Sayers and Elizabeth Daly.[6][7]
    • City mysteries
    • Detective: fiction that follows a detective or other investigator (professional, amateur, or retired) as they investigate or solve a mystery/crime. Detective novels generally begin with a mysterious incident (e.g., death). One of the most popular examples is the Sherlock Holmes stories; well-known detective novelists include Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler.[6]
    • Hardboiled
    • Historical mystery
    • Locked-room mystery
    • Police procedural: mystery fiction that feature a protagonist who is a member of the police force. Well-known novelists in this genre include Ed McBain, P. D. James, and Bartholomew Gill.[6]
    • Whodunit: mystery fiction that focuses on the puzzle regarding who committed the crime.
  • Noir

Speculative fiction[]

Fantasy[]

Fantasy (including comics and magazines) is a speculative fiction that use imaginary characters set in fictional universes inspired by mythology and folklore, often including magical elements, magical creatures, or the supernatural. Examples: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1885) and the Harry Potter books.[1]

Horror[]

Horror (including comics and magazines) involves fiction in which plot and characters are tools used to elicit a feeling of dread and terror, as well as events that often evoke fear in both the characters and the reader.[1] Horrors generally focus on themes of death, demons, evil spirits, and the afterlife.

Science fiction[]

Science fiction (including comics, magazines, novels, and short stories) is speculative fiction with imagined elements that are inspired by natural sciences (physics, chemistry, astronomy, etc.) or social sciences (psychology, anthropology, sociology, etc.). Common elements of this genre include time travel, space exploration, and futuristic societies. (Sci-fi was originally regarded as scientific romance.)[1]

  • Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic
  • Christian
  • Comedy
  • Utopian and dystopian
    • Dystopian: fiction set in a society that the author views as being worse than the one in which they live in at the time of writing. Example: Brave New World (1932) and Fahrenheit 451 (1953).
    • Utopian: (often satirical) fiction set in a utopia; a community or society that possesses highly desirable or perfect qualities.[8]
  • Feminist
  • Gothic
  • Isekai
  • Hard
  • Libertarian
  • Military
  • Soft
    • Anthropological
    • Social
  • Science fantasy: sci-fi inspired by mythology and folklore, often including elements of magic.[8]
  • Space opera: fiction that take place in outer space and center around conflict, romance, and adventure.[8]
  • Space Western: fiction that blends elements of sci-fi with those of the western genre.[8]
  • Spy-Fi: spy fiction that includes elements of science fiction
  • Subterranean
  • Superhero
  • Tech noir
  • Techno-thriller

Romance[]

Romantic fiction is those which give primary focus around a love story between two people, usually having an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending."[1]

Non-fiction genres[]

  • Academic
    • Literature review: a summary and careful comparison of previous academic work published on a specific topic
    • Research article or research paper
    • Scientific: scholarly publication reporting original empirical and theoretical work in the natural or social sciences.
    • Technical report
    • Textbook: authoritative and detailed factual description of a thing
    • Thesis (or dissertation): a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.
  • Bibliography: an organized listing of books or writings
  • Biography: a written narrative of a person's life; an autobiography is a self-written biography.
    • Memoir: a biographical account of a particular event or period in a person's life (rather than their whole life) drawn from personal knowledge or special sources (such as the spouse of the subject).
    • Misery literature
    • Slave narrative
      • Contemporary
      • Neo
  • Creative nonfiction: factual narrative presented in the form of a story so as to entertain the reader.
    • Personal narrative: a prose relating personal experience and opinion to a factual narrative.
  • Essay: a short literary composition, often reflecting the author's outlook or point of view.
    • Position paper
  • Journalistic writing: reporting on news and current events
  • Reference work: publication that one can refer to for confirmed facts, such as a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, almanac, or atlas.
  • Self-help: a work written with information intended to instruct or guide readers on solving personal problems.
  • Obituary
  • Travel: literature containing elements of the outdoors, nature, adventure, and traveling.
    • Guide book: book of information about a place, designed for the use of visitors or tourists
    • Travel blog
  • True crime

Literary fiction vs. genre fiction[]

Literary fiction is a term used to distinguish certain fictional works that possess commonly held qualities to readers outside genre fiction.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] Genre fiction is a term used to distinguish fictional works written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre, in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre.[11] There are many sources that help readers find and define literary fiction and genre fiction.[12][13]

vampire, face of little green man, feather pen (quill) and fire-breathing dragon – to the right of that are scripted words "Speculative (over) Fiction"
Speculative fiction
Alternate history
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Fantasy fiction
Science fiction
Horror fiction
Miscellaneous
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  • v
  • t
  • Suspense fiction
  • Thriller
  • Tragedy
    • Melodrama
  • Urban fiction
  • Westerns
  • Women's fiction
    • Chick lit
    • Class S
    • Femslash
    • Matron literature
    • Romance novel
    • Yaoi
    • Yuri
  • Workplace tell-all
  • General cross-genre
    • Historical romance
    • Juvenile fantasy
    • LGBT pulp fiction
      • Gay male pulp fiction
      • Lesbian pulp fiction
      • Lesbian erotica fiction
    • Paranormal romance
    • Romantic fantasy
    • Tragicomedy

Other nonfiction genres[]

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

  • Biography
    • Memoir
      • Autobiography
        • Slave narrative
        • Spiritual autobiography
      • Bildungsroman
        • Contemporary slave narrative
        • Neo-slave narrative
  • Commentary
  • Creative nonfiction
  • Critique
    • Canonical criticism
    • Form criticism
    • Higher criticism
    • Historical criticism
    • Lower criticism
    • Narrative criticism
    • Postmodern criticism
    • Psychological criticism
    • Redaction criticism
    • Rhetorical criticism
    • Social criticism
    • Source criticism
    • Textual criticism
  • Cult literature
  • Diaries and journals
  • Didactic
    • Dialectic
    • Rabbinic
    • Aporetic
    • Elenctic
  • Erotic literature
  • Essay, treatise
  • History
  • Lament
  • Law
    • Ceremonial
    • Family
    • Levitical
    • Moral
    • Natural
    • Royal decree
    • Social
  • Letter
  • Manuscript
  • Philosophy
    • Metaphysics
    • Socratic dialogue
  • Poetry
  • Religious text
    • Apocalyptic
    • Apologetics
    • Chant
    • Confession
    • Covenant
    • Creed
    • Daily devotional
    • Epistle
      • Pauline epistle
      • General epistle
      • Encyclical
    • Gospel
    • Homily
    • Koan
    • Lectionary
    • Liturgy
    • Mysticism
    • Occult literature
    • Prayer
    • Philosophy
    • Prophecy
      • Blessing/Curse
      • Messianic prophecy
      • Divination
      • Oracle
        • Woe oracle
      • Prediction
      • Vision
    • Revelation
    • Scripture
      • Buddhist texts
        • Lotus Sutra
        • Tripitaka
      • Christian literature
        • Apocrypha
        • Christian devotional literature
        • Encyclical
        • New Testament
        • Old Testament
        • Patristic
          • Anti-Nicene
          • Post-Nicene
        • Psalms
          • Imprecatory psalm
        • Pseudepigrapha
      • Hindu literature
        • Bhagavad Gita
        • Vedas
      • Islamic literature
        • Haddith
        • Quran
      • Jewish literature
        • Hebrew poetry
    • Song
    • Sutra
    • Theology
    • Wisdom literature
  • Scientific writing
  • Testament
  • True crime

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m "What Are the Different Genres of Literature? A Guide to 14 Literary Genres". MasterClass. November 8, 2020. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Neto, Bill (March 16, 2021). "Literary Genres". eBooks Discounts. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  3. ^ David, Mikics (2010). A New Handbook of Literary Term. Yale University Press. pp. 132–133. ISBN 9780300164312.
  4. ^ Elliott, Robert (1960). The Power of Satire: Magic, Ritual, Art. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691012766.
  5. ^ "How to Write an Adventure Story". MasterClass. November 8, 2020. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "What Is the Mystery Genre? Learn About Mystery and Crime Fiction, Plus 6 Tips for Writing a Mystery Novel". MasterClass. November 8, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "What Makes a Cozy Just That?". Cozy Mystery List. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "What Is Science Fiction Writing? Definition and Characteristics of Science Fiction Literature". MasterClass. November 8, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  9. ^ Cruz, Ronald (December 2012). "Mutations and Metamorphoses: Body Horror is Biological Horror". Journal of Popular Film and Television. 40 (4): 160–168. doi:10.1080/01956051.2012.654521. S2CID 194091897.
  10. ^ "The Romance Genre: Romance Literature Subgenres". Romance Writers of America. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  11. ^ French, Christy. "Literary Fiction vs. Genre Fiction". AuthorsDen. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  12. ^ Pearl, Nancy (2010). Now Read This III: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction. Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 9781591585701.
  13. ^ Saricks, Joyce (2001). The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. American Library Association. ISBN 9780838908037.
  14. ^ Dumville, David (1976). "Echtrae and Immram: Some Problems of Definition". Ériu. 27: 73–94. JSTOR 30007669. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-17 – via JSTOR.
  15. ^ Deane, Bradley (2008). "Imperial Barbarians: Primitive masculinity in Lost World fiction". Victorian Literature and Culture. 36 (1): 205–225. doi:10.1017/S1060150308080121. JSTOR 40347601. S2CID 162826920. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-04-17 – via JSTOR.
  16. ^ Weaver-Hightower, Rebecca (2007). Empire Islands: Castaways, Cannibals, and Fantasies of Conquest. University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 9780816648634.
  17. ^ Coogan, Michael; Chapman, Cynthia (2019). A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in Its Context. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190903756.
  18. ^ Christiansen, Rupert (2004). Romantic Affinities: Portraits from an Age 1780-1830. Random House UK. pp. 192–196. ISBN 9781844134212.
  19. ^ Picker, Lenny (March 5, 2010). "Mysteries of History". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  20. ^ "Jewish fiction". Goodreads. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
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