Genre is a category of composition, whether that is artistic, literary, or musical. A genre is defined by its style, content, and approach to its subject matter.
a
- AbsurdThe absurd is a style of writing that is influenced by humanity’s isolation and a lack of logic in the universe.
- Adventure StoryAn adventure story tells the tale of a protagonist’s journey. They go on an adventure or quest: one that could be personal or geographical.
- AgitpropAgitprop is political propaganda conveyed through art, music, literature, and films.
- AlbaAlba is a specific type of poetry. It’s a genre of lyric poetry from the Old Occitan period, also known as the Old Provençal.
- Amatory FictionAmatory fiction is a genre of literature that was popular in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It is today considered a predecessor of the romance novel.
- AntinovelAn antinovel is any novel that disregards traditional conventions of novel-writing. These books push the limits of what a novel can be.
- ApocalypticThe term “apocalyptic” is applied to a genre of classical religious literature that contends with end of the world scenarios. These stories contain an author's unique vision of the end of the world, as inspired by religious texts.
- ApologueAn apologue is a short story, sometimes a fable, that shares a moral lesson. For example, kindness is more important than power, or love triumphs over hate.
- Arthurian LiteratureArthurian Literature is a category of writing that encompasses stories written during the 12th, 13th, and later centuries that tell the story of King Arthur and his court.
- AutobiographyAn autobiography is an account of one’s life written by the subject.
b
- Beast FableA beast fable, also known as an animal tale, is a short story or long poem that uses animal characters to relay a moral or narrative.
- BildungsromanA bildungsroman is a literary genre that focuses on coming of age stories, following a character's progression towards adulthood.
- BiographyA biography is an account or description of a person's life, literary, fictional, historical, or popular in nature, written by a biographer.
- Blackout PoetryBlackout poetry is also known as redacted poetry and erasure poetry. It is also regarded as a type of “found poetry.”
- Bodice RipperA bodice ripper is a genre of romantic literature. It refers to novels that take place in a historic context and follow an erotic or outwardly passionate relationship.
- BurlesqueBurlesque is a style of literature that mocks its subject. Burlesque writers represent their subjects using irony and obviously outrageous imagery.
c
- Campus NovelThe campus novel, also known as the academic novel, is a book set around a university or college campus.
- CarolA carol is a song sung during a festive period, such as Christmas, although not exclusively. They are usually religious in nature.
- Carpe DiemThe term “carpe diem” is used to describe a genre of poetry that seeks to “seize the day.” It inspires readers to live as well as possible.
- Chick LitChick lit is a genre of literature that focuses on female protagonists. These stories are usually targeted at younger women and are described as “popular fiction.”
- Chivalric RomanceChivalric Romance is a genre of literature and culture popular during the Medieval and Early Modern periods in Europe from the 12th century.
- ChronicleA chronicle is an account of events that occurs in the order that they happened in. The term is usually associated with historical events.
- Chronicle NovelA chronicle novel is a long novel, or one in a series of novels, that follows at least two generations of a family or group.
- Chronicle PlayA chronicle play describes a piece of drama that consists of a series of short episodes that are arranged chronologically, or at least loosely so.
- ClassicismClassicism is a term used to describe literature that reflected the thoughts and ideas from Ancient Greece and Rome.
- ComedyComedy is a humorous and entertaining genre of literature, film, and television.
- Coming-of-Age NovelA coming-of-age novel is a book that tells the story of a character growing up and going through a series of important life-defining changes.
- Companion PoemsCompanion poems are pieces of poetry that were written to accompany one another. They can also be poems written by multiple authors in response to one another.
- Confessional PoetryConfessional Poetry is a style of poetry that is personal, often making use of a first-person narrator. It is a branch of Postmodernism that emerged in the US in the 1950s.
- Conversation PoemA conversation poem is a style of poetry that addresses someone close to the poet in an informal way. These poems use serious language and usually discuss a specific topic.
d
- Detective StoryThe detective story is a sub-genre of fiction that follows an investigator as they try to track down a criminal, solve a crime, or prevent one from happening.
- Devotional PoetryDevotional poetry refers to poems that express worship or prayer. These poems are usually religious and focus on themes like faith, worship, or spiritual reflection.
- Dime NovelA dime novel is a form of short, cheap fiction popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States.
- DocumentaryA documentary or documentary film is a genre of non-fictional filmmaking. It is used for the purpose of sharing real-life events as they happened.
- DramaDrama is a mode of storytelling that uses dialogue and performance. It’s one of several important literary genres that authors engage with.
- Dub PoetryDub poetry is a form of performance poetry common to Caribbean immigrants and the West Indian region. It refers to poetry that’s spoken over a reggae music backing.
- DystopiaA dystopia is the opposite of a utopia. It is an imagined place or community in which the majority of the people suffer.
e
- ElegyAn elegy, in literature, is a poem or song that is written in dedication to someone who has died.
- Epic PoetryAn epic is a long narrative poem that tells the story of heroic deeds, normally accomplished by more-than-human characters.
- EpistolaryAn epistolary novel is a book made up of a series of documents, usually letters, diary entires, or newspaper clippings.
- EssayAn essay is a short piece of writing that is based around a single subject. More often than not, the personal opinion of the author is included.
f
- FableA fable is a short and concise story that provides the reader with a moral lesson at the end.
- FabliauA fabliau is a traditional French tale penned by an anonymous writer between 1150 and 1400. These were usually written by jongleurs or medieval entertainers.
- Fairy TaleFairy tales are short stories that include fanciful and magical elements such as goblins, elves, fairies, and ogres.
- Fantastic GenreThe word “fantastic” is applied to a specific genre of stories and poems in literature. These stories feature supernatural forces that are presented in an unusual and sometimes strange way.
- FantasyFantasy is a literary genre that includes talking animals, magic, and other worlds. It includes plots that couldn’t take place in the real world.
- FarceFarce is a comedic subgenre defined by exaggerated situations, frantic pacing, and absurd misunderstandings. Filled with ridiculous scenarios, mistaken identities, and slapstick humor, it entertains through chaos rather than realism, spotlighting human folly without the moral weight of satire.
- FolkloreFolklore refers to stories that people tell. These include folk stories, fairy tales, urban legends, and more.
- Folk SongFolk song is traditional music passed down orally, reflecting the culture, struggles, and values of a community. Simple in melody and language, it tells stories of love, work, history, or daily life, rooted in shared experience rather than formal authorship.
g
- Ghost StoryA ghost story is any story that involves a supernatural, ghost element. It is a subgenera of fantasy and mystery.
