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Overview of Literary Genres and Subgenres

The document classifies literature into four main genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction prose. Prose fiction includes subgenres like fantasy, folklore, historical fiction, mystery, realistic fiction, romance, science fiction, and thriller. Poetry subgenres include lyric poetry. Drama subgenres are comedy, tragedy, tragicomedy, and melodrama. Nonfiction prose subgenres are biography, autobiography, narrative, periodicals, and reference.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
257 views2 pages

Overview of Literary Genres and Subgenres

The document classifies literature into four main genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction prose. Prose fiction includes subgenres like fantasy, folklore, historical fiction, mystery, realistic fiction, romance, science fiction, and thriller. Poetry subgenres include lyric poetry. Drama subgenres are comedy, tragedy, tragicomedy, and melodrama. Nonfiction prose subgenres are biography, autobiography, narrative, periodicals, and reference.

Uploaded by

Vanya Quisto
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Literature Overview

Literature

- Books and other writing usually by expert authors


Literary Genres + Subgenres
Literary Genre
- Type or category of literature
Literary Subgenres
- Smaller group or category which comprises the main genre
Literature is classified into four genres:
A. Prose Fiction- a story that did not actually happen in real life
1. Fantasy- a story in a fantasy world (e.g. Harry Potter)
2. Folklore- old cultural stories which includes fairytales, fables,
myths, legends and tall tales
3. Historical- a fiction history based on real fiction (e.g. Gone with
the Wind by Margaret Mitchel)
4. Mystery- story about a crime
5. Realistic Fiction- a story that seems real but isn’t real (e.g. Jane
Eyre by Charlotte Bronte)
6. Romance- a love story
7. Science Fiction- a story in the future with the use of advance
technology (e.g. Hunger Games)
- it involves new technology and inventions
8. Thriller- or suspense is a story that makes readers nervous and
excited, or most likely anticipate with what’s going to happen next

B. Poetry- writing using language or sounds in special ways to express ideas


1. Lyric- a poem about the speaker’s thoughts
- most poems are lyrics (e.g. elegy, ode, sonnet and haiku)
2.
C. Drama- a play for theater told by character dialogue (usually talking)
1. Comedy- funny or humorous, drama with a happy ending (e.g. The
Comedy of Errors by SHAKESPEARE)
2. Tragedy- sad drama with sad ending (e.g. Romeo and Juliet by
SHAKESPEARE)
OR
1. Tragicomedy- a play containing both tragedy and comedy
2. Melodrama- sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters
and exciting events to appeal to the emotions
D. Nonfiction Prose- writing that is factual and actually happened in real
life
1. Biography- story of a person’s life
2. Autobiography- a story the author writes about himself or herself
3. Narrative- a story or narrative that happened in real life
4. Periodicals- these are the magazines, newspapers, and journals that
are written regularly
5. Reference- books with facts in alphabetical order

Common questions

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Realistic fiction achieves a sense of authenticity by incorporating plausible characters, settings, and events that resemble real life, as seen in stories like 'Jane Eyre' . Writers often use realistic dialogue, detailed descriptions, and relatable plots to create lifelike narratives, encouraging readers to emotionally invest in the characters and situations as if they were real. This sense of realism helps readers connect more deeply with the narrative, often leading to heightened empathy and reflection on their own experiences and values. The fictional yet believable context allows readers to explore complex social and personal issues within a safe narrative framework.

Periodicals, such as magazines and newspapers, offer time-sensitive information, often focusing on current events, opinions, and trends, presented in a concise and accessible manner . Narrative nonfiction, however, involves detailed storytelling based on factual events, often integrating elements like character development and narrative arcs to engage readers deeply over a longer span . Periodicals are beneficial for readers seeking quick, up-to-date information, while narrative nonfiction allows for in-depth exploration and understanding of particular topics or events, fostering a richer comprehension and emotional connection.

Science fiction integrates advanced technology and futuristic settings as narrative devices to explore speculative scenarios and societal progress, often addressing themes related to ethics, identity, and the human condition . Stories like 'Hunger Games' employ hypothetical technologies and inventions as metaphors for contemporary issues, such as dystopian governance or human dependency on technology . This use of advanced technology enables a deeper thematic exploration by reflecting on potential futures and their consequences, encouraging readers to critically assess the impact of technological and moral choices in both the imaginary world and their real lives.

In folklore, the setting is crucial as it often embodies the cultural and geographical origins of the tale, serving to convey local traditions and values embedded within the narrative . The setting provides a backdrop for the characters' actions and conflicts, which are frequently shaped by the cultural context. Through vivid descriptions of place and time, folklore stories transmit cultural values and lessons, ensuring these are passed down through generations. The setting thus not only situates the narrative in a recognizable world but also reinforces the moral or social messages intended to be conveyed to the audience.

Melodramas are characterized by their sensational plots that involve exaggerated characters and thrilling events designed to provoke strong emotional responses from the audience . This genre often includes clear distinctions between good and evil, dramatic conflict, and highly sentimental circumstances, which can lead to heightened emotional engagement and empathy from the audience. The exaggerated nature of a melodrama appeals to emotions by emphasizing sensationalism over subtlety, providing an engaging and emotionally charged experience .

Lyric poetry is distinguished by its focus on expressing the personal thoughts and emotions of the speaker, often in a highly musical and rhythmic manner . Unlike narrative poetry, which tells a story, or prose, which may lack a structured meter, lyric poetry typically features a structured form such as elegies, sonnets, or haikus that emphasize emotional depth and expressive language without necessarily telling a complete story .

Suspense in thrillers is achieved through a plot structure that involves dramatic tension, unpredictable twists, and high stakes, which differentiate this genre from others by consistently keeping readers on edge . Techniques to maintain engagement include cliffhangers, pacing manipulation, and unreliable narrators that create uncertainty about the outcome . This sustained tension and reader anticipation lead to a gripping narrative experience uniquely focused on suspense as a central component to drive interest and emotional involvement.

Tragedies explore themes of human suffering, fate, and often moral dilemmas, ending in a downfall or sad resolution, exemplified by works like 'Romeo and Juliet' . This creates a cathartic experience for the audience, allowing them to engage emotionally with complex, often somber themes. Comedies, such as 'The Comedy of Errors,' focus on humor and misunderstandings leading to a happy resolution, providing relief and laughter, and encouraging audiences to reflect on human foibles with a light-hearted perspective . The emotional experience is thus widely different; tragedies often leave the audience contemplating profound themes, whereas comedies evoke laughter and ease tensions.

Fantasy involves stories set in imaginary worlds with magical or supernatural elements, such as 'Harry Potter,' offering readers an escape into a world vastly different from reality . Historical fiction, like 'Gone with the Wind,' constructs narrative worlds based on real historical settings, often blending fictional plots with actual historical events, providing readers with insights into specific time periods . The impact on the reader is that fantasy allows for greater imaginative escapism, whereas historical fiction often fosters a deeper appreciation for historical contexts and events.

Biographies are written by someone other than the subject, providing an external perspective that often attempts to portray an objective view of the subject's life . Autobiographies, on the other hand, are written by the subject themselves, offering an introspective and personal account of their own life experiences, potentially leading to biases or selective recollections . Readers may perceive a biography as more objective and based on external research, while an autobiography allows a more intimate, albeit subjective, understanding of the individual.

Literature
-
Books and other writing usually by expert authors
Literary Genres + Subgenres
Literary Genre
-
Type or category
2. Tragedy- sad drama with sad ending (e.g. Romeo and Juliet by 
SHAKESPEARE)
OR
1. Tragicomedy- a play containing both trage

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