What is Genre?
There are several genres of literature that fall
A genre is a broad term that translates from
the French to mean 'kind' or 'type.' In
entertainment, this can translate to horror,
romance, science fiction, etc. In general,
these types differ for all sorts of reasons, from
the actions in their plots to the feelings they
elicit from the audience. However, in literature,
there are some more defined genres. It is
important to know which genre a piece of work
falls into because the reader will already have
certain expectations before he even begins to
read.
Genre, in broad terms, refers to any works
that share certain characteristics. If enough
characteristics are in common, then the
pieces are said to be in the same genre. In
literature, there are four main genres to help
the reader focus their expectations for the
piece, though these genres can be broken
down even further.
What is literary Genre?
A literary genre is a category of literary
composition. Genres may be determined by
literary technique, tone, content, or even (as in
the case of fiction) length. The distinctions
between genres and categories are flexible and
loosely defined, often with subgroups.
The most general genres in literature are (in
loose chronological order) epic, tragedy,
comedy, and creative nonfiction. They can all be
in the form of prose or poetry. Additionally, a
genre such as satire, allegory or pastoral might
appear in any of the above, not only as a
subgenre (see below), but as a mixture of
genres. Finally, they are defined by the general
cultural movement of the historical period in
which they were composed.
Genre should not be confused with age
categories, by which literature may be classified
as either adult, young-adult, or children's. They
also must not be confused with format, such as
graphic novel or picture book.
Literary Genre
Genres of literature are important to learn about.
The two main categories separating the different
genres of literature are fiction and nonfiction.
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 authors 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
persons life.
An Autobiography gives the history of a
persons life, written or told by that person.
Often written in Narrative form of their persons
life.
Speech is the faculty or power of speaking; oral
communication; ability to express ones
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 thats 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.
Literary Devices
Alliteration
This is one of the easiest go-to devices
to use. Alliteration involves the quick
repetition of the first letters, and therefore
the first sounds of words.

Sarah swam smoothly and silently
across the sound.
Kathy creates crazy and chaotic chants.
Bret brought bundles of bread to the
bakery.
Allegory
A literary device that is used to convey
hidden meanings through symbolic figures,
actions, and imagery.
-. Orwell's Animal Farm-animals in the
story and their interactions stand for
political figures and events
-The Hunger Games series can be read
as a political allegory that makes a
statement about our modern society
(e.g. The Capitol is like Hollywood;
obsession with reality TV).
Assonance
The repetition of vowel sounds in a
phrase or sentence.
- We light fire on the mountain.
- I feel depressed and restle.
Clich
A phrase that is used so commonly
that it has little effect.
Play your cards right.
Read between the lines.
Beauty is only skin deep.
Colloquialism
The use of informal words or phrases in
writing.
wanna want to
gonna going to
yall you all
Consonance
The repetition of consonant sounds in a
sentence or phrase.
-The ship has sailed to the far off shores.
-She ate seven sandwiches on a sunny
Sunday last year.
-Shelley sells shells by the seashore.
Euphemism
A literary device that uses a less
negative or abrasive word instead of the
original.
He is always tired and emotional
(drunk).
We do not hire mentally
challenged (stupid) people.
He is a special child (disabled or
retarded).
Homophone
Two or more words that sound the same
or are similar, but have different
spellings and meanings.
Ice cream I scream
Hole whole
Idiom
A common phrase in which the
figurative meaning is different than the
literal meaning.
actions speak louder than
words: Refers to the idea that
its better to do something than
just talk about
 break a leg: Something you
say to someone you want to
wish luck on.
Irony
The contrast or discrepancy between
what happens, and what is expected
(verbal, dramatic, and situational).
One of the identical twins says
to the other, "You're ugly!"
I saw a fish drowning.
Marriage is the leading cause of
divorce.
Omniscient
A literary technique in which the
narrator is all knowing and seeing.
Pun
A play on words that relies on the word
having more than one meaning.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies
like a banana.
An elephants opinion carries a lot
of weight.
What is the difference between a
conductor and a teacher? The
conductor minds the train and a
teacher trains the mind.
Sarcasm
The use of irony to mock or convey
contempt. The intended meaning is
different than its literal meaning.
Oh yes, youve been sooooo
helpful. Thanks sooooo much for
all your heeeelp.
Slang
The use of casual language in everyday
speech in writing.
LOL Laughing Out Loud
BAE: Short for baby, but also
meaning Before anything else.
On fleek: Something looking
perfect. From Eyebrows on
fleek.
Bye Felicia: Bidding goodbye to
someone or something you dont
like.
All the feels: Lots of strong
emotion about something.
Personification.
Giving inanimate objects and other
phenomena human traits.
Look at my car. She is a beauty,
isnt it so?
The wind whispered through dry
grass.
The flowers danced in the gentle
breeze.
Simile.
Comparing two unrelated things to creating
new understanding and meaning. They are
marked by the use of "like," "as,"or "such
as."
* She ran like the wind.
* His eyes were as blue as the sky.
Foreshadowing
Words, phrases, or events that hint or
suggest to the reader what's going to
happen in the story.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, finding the
presents in the oak tree
 foreshadows the truth about Boo
Radley.
Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale
Heart" foreshadows the narrator's
actions from the start of the story: I
can't say how the idea first entered
my brain, but once it was there, it
haunted me day and night. There
wasn't any reason for it. I liked the
old man.
Symbolism
Using objects or action to mean something
more than what appears on the surface.
Hyperbole.
Exaggerating a statement or idea to
emphasize a point or emotion.
Im so hungry I could eat a horse!
That was the best performance Ive ever
seen in my entire life.
Id kill for a glass of Coca-Cola.
Oxymoron
A device that puts two contradictory ideas
together to create complex meaning. (See
top photo)

The dove is a symbol of peace. Their relationship was an open

A red rose or red color stands for secret.
love or romance.
Black is a symbol that represents Tragic comedy
evil or death. Seriously funny

Onomatopoeia

Words whose sound mimics natural sounds .

or sounds of an object. These words help
bring the reader into the scene by working
on the senses.

The explosion erupted with a boom!

The horses clip-clopped across the
street.
Fall leaves rustled in the whistling

Metaphor

A device that asserts that one object is

another, bringing new meaning to the
original subject for a fresh understanding.

My brother was boiling mad.

(This implies he was too angry.)
The assignment was a breeze.
(This implies that the assignment
was not difficult.)