Genres of Literature

Genres of literature are important to learn about. The
two main categories separating the different genres
of literature are fiction and nonfiction. There are
several genres of literature that fall under the
nonfiction category. Nonfiction sits in direct
opposition to fiction. Examples from both the fiction
and nonfiction genres of literature are explained in
detail below. This detailed genres of literature list is a
great resource to share with any scholars.

Types of Nonfiction:
Narrative Nonfiction is information based on fact
that is presented in a format which tells a story.
Essays are a short literary composition that reflects
the author's outlook or point. A short literary
composition on a particular theme or subject, usually
in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or
interpretative.

A Biography is a written account of another person's
life.

An Autobiography gives the history of a person's
life, written or told by that person. Often written in
Narrative form of their person's life.
Speech is the faculty or power of speaking; oral
communication; ability to express one's thoughts and
emotions by speech, sounds, and gesture. Generally
delivered in the form of an address or discourse.
Finally there is the general genre of Nonfiction. This
is Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life
subject. This genre of literature offers opinions or
conjectures on facts and reality. This includes
biographies, history, essays, speech, and narrative
non fiction. Nonfiction opposes fiction and is
distinguished from those fiction genres of literature
like poetry and drama which is the next section we
will discuss.

Genres of Fiction:
Drama is the genre of literature that's subject for
compositions is dramatic art in the way it is
represented. This genre is stories composed in verse
or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where
conflicts and emotion are expressed through
dialogue and action.

Poetry is verse and rhythmic writing with imagery
that evokes an emotional response from the reader.
The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition,
written or spoken. This genre of literature is for
exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or
elevated thoughts.

Fantasy is the forming of mental images with
strange or other worldly settings or characters;
fiction which invites suspension of reality.

Humor is the faculty of perceiving what is amusing
or comical. Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement
which meant to entertain. This genre of literature can
actually be seen and contained within all genres.

A Fable is a story about supernatural or
extraordinary people Usually in the form of narration
that demonstrates a useful truth. In Fables, animals
often speak as humans that are legendary and
supernatural tales.

Fairy Tales or wonder tales are a kind of folktale or
fable. Sometimes the stories are about fairies or
other magical creatures, usually for children.

Science Fiction is a story based on impact of
potential science, either actual or imagined. Science

fiction is one of the genres of literature that is set in
the future or on other planets.

Short Story is fiction of such briefness that is not
able to support any subplots.

Realistic Fiction is a story that can actually happen
and is true to real life.

Folklore are songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a
person of "folk" that was handed down by word of
mouth. Folklore is a genre of literature that is widely
held, but false and based on unsubstantiated beliefs.

Historical Fiction is a story with fictional characters
and events in a historical setting.

Horror is an overwhelming and painful feeling
caused by literature that is frightfully shocking,
terrifying, or revolting. Fiction in which events evoke
a feeling of dread in both the characters and the
reader.

A Tall Tale is a humorous story with blatant
exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the
impossible with an here of nonchalance.

Legend is a story that sometimes of a national or folk
hero. Legend is based on fact but also includes
imaginative material.

Mystery is a genre of fiction that deals with the
solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.
Anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained
or unknown.

Mythology is a type of legend or traditional
narrative. This is 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. A body of myths, as that of a
particular people or that relating to a particular
person.

Fiction in Verse is full-length novels with plot,
subplots, themes, with major and minor characters.
Fiction of verse is one of the genres of literature in
which the narrative is usually presented in blank
verse form.

The genre of Fiction can be defined as narrative
literary works whose content is produced by the
imagination and is not necessarily based on fact. In
fiction something is feigned, invented, or imagined; a
made-up story.