Classifications of literature[edit]

The following is a list of genres in literature. Further information: Literature A literary genre is a category, type or class of literature.

Major forms of literature[edit]

The major forms of Literature are:

Novel Poem Drama Short story Novella

Various works of literature are written in and further categorized by genre. Sometimes forms are used interchangeably to define genre. However, a form, e.g., a novel or a poem, can itself be written in any genre. Genre is a label that characterizes elements a reader can expect in a work of literature. The major forms of literature can be written in various genres. Genre is a category characterized by similarities in style, or subject matter. The classic major genres of Literature are:

Drama Romance Satire Tragedy Comedy Tragicomedy

Genre categories: fiction and nonfiction[edit]

Genre may fall under one of two categories: Fiction and Nonfiction. Any genre can be either: a work of Fiction (nonfactual descriptions and events invented by the author) or a work of Nonfiction (a communication in which descriptions and events are understood to be factual).

Common genres: fiction[edit]

Subsets of genres, known as common genres, have developed from the archetypes of genres in written expression. The common genres included in recommended Literature from kindergarten through Grade Twelve by the California Department of Education are defined as:[1]

Drama stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action Fable narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale Fairy tale story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children Fantasy fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality Fiction narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact Fiction in verse full-length novels with plot, subplot(s), theme(s), major and minor characters, in which the narrative is presented in (usually blank) verse form Folklore the songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth Historical fiction story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting Horror fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread and sometimes fear in both the characters and the reader Humor Usually a fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain and sometimes cause intended laughter; but can be contained in all genres Legend story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, that has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material Mystery fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets Mythology legend or 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

Poetry verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses Realistic fiction story that is true to life Science fiction story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets Short story fiction of such brevity that it supports no subplots Tall tale humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance

Common genres: nonfiction[edit]

Biography/Autobiography - Narrative of a person's life. A true story about a real person. Essay - A short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point. Narrative nonfiction - Factual information presented in a format which tells a story. Speech - Public address or discourse. Textbook - Authoritative and detailed factual description of a topic.

Literary fiction vs. genre fiction[edit]

Literary fiction is a term used to distinguish certain fictional works that possess commonly held qualities that constitute literary merit. Genre works are written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre. Literary fiction may fit within a classification of market fiction, but also possesses generally agreed upon qualities such as "elegantly written, lyrical, and ... layered" that appeals to readers outside genre fiction. 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. There are many sources that help readers find and define literary fiction and genre fiction.[2][3]

Genres and subgenres[edit]

Some genres listed may reappear throughout the list, indicating cross-genre status.[citation needed] This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(June 2012)

Absurdist fiction

Literary nonsense

Adventure novel

Epic Imaginary voyage Lost World Men's adventure Milesian tale Picaresque novel (picaresco) Robinsonade

Apocalyptic robinsonade Science fiction robinsonade

Sea story

Brit lit Children's literature

Young-adult fiction

Class S Light novel

Comic novel

Black comedy Parody Romantic comedy Satire

Picaresque novel Political satire

Education fiction

Campus novel

Campus murder mystery

School story Varsity novel

Experimental fiction

Antinovel Ergodic literature

Erotic fiction

Erotic romance Picaresque novel (picaresco) Women's erotica

Historical fiction

Historical romance

Metahistorical romance

Historical whodunnit Holocaust novel Plantation tradition

Prehistoric fiction Regency novel

Regency romance

Literary fiction Mathematical fiction Memoir

Autobiographical novel Bildungsroman Slave narrative

Contemporary slave narrative Neo-slave narrative

Metafiction Nonfiction novel

Biographical novel

Autobiographical novel

Semi-autobiographical novel

I novel

Occupational fiction

Hollywood novel Legal thriller Medical fiction

Medical romance

Musical fiction Lab lit Sports fiction

Philosophical fiction

Existentialist fiction Novel of ideas Philosophical horror Platonic Dialogues

Political fiction

Political satire

Pulp fiction

Quantum fiction Religious fiction

Christian fiction

Christian science fiction Contemporary Christian fiction

Luciferian literature

Saga

Family saga

Speculative fiction

Science fiction

Hard science fiction Soft science fiction Space opera Military Punk

Cyberpunk

Biopunk Nanopunk Postcyberpunk

Steampunk

Clockpunk Dieselpunk Atompunk

Dystopian Alternative universe

Alternative history

Post-apocalyptic Alien invasion Scientific romance

Horror

Gothic fiction

Southern Gothic

Supernatural / Paranormal

Ghost story Monster literature

Vampire fiction Werewolf fiction

Cosmic (Lovecraftian) Occult detective

Psychological Erotic Body horror

Splatterpunk

Fantasy

by Theme

Comic fantasy Dark fantasy Contemporary fantasy Heroic fantasy Magic realism Fantasy of manners Mythic Paranormal fantasy Superhero fantasy Sword and sorcery

By setting

Epic / High fantasy Low fantasy Hard fantasy Historical fantasy

Prehistoric fantasy Medieval fantasy Wuxia

Urban fantasy

Paranormal romance

Speculative cross-genre fiction

Science fantasy

Planetary romance

Sword and planet

Dying Earth Weird fiction

Suspense fiction

Crime fiction Detective fiction Mystery fiction

Westerns Women's fiction

Class S Femslash Matron literature Romance novel Yaoi Yuri

Workplace tell-all Tragedy

Melodrama

Urban fiction Thriller

Conspiracy fiction Legal thriller Medical thriller Political thriller

Spy fiction

Psychological thriller Techno-thriller

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

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

Biography

Autobiography, Memoir

Spiritual autobiography

Creative nonfiction Diaries and Journals Erotic literature Essay, Treatise Fable, Fairy tale, Folklore History

Popular history People's history Official history Academic history Narrative history Whig history

Letter Religious text

Apologetics Proverbs Scripture Christian literature Islamic literature Buddhist texts

Philosophy

References[edit]
1. Jump up^ Literary Genres Recommended California Department of Education 2. Jump up^ Nancy Pearl, Now Read This: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, Libraries Unlimited, 1999, 432 pp. (1-56308-659-X) 3. Jump up^ Saricks, J. (2001). The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction . Chicago and London: American Library Association.

Categories: Literary genres Literature lists