Forms of Art and Literary Genres

Forms of Art

• Includes various written formats such as emails, letters, reports, and instructions.
• Practical writing encompasses memos, resumes, and cover letters.

Writing

• Referring to "literature," it's the body of written works across different categories.

Four Main Literary Genres

• Drama: Character-driven plays meant for theater, delivered through dialogue.
• Fiction: Narratives that are imaginative rather than factual.
• Non-Fiction: Literature that is based on real events and factual information.
• Poetry: A form that utilizes unique language and sound elements to convey ideas.

Subgenres of Literary Genres

Drama

• Comedy: Features a happy ending.
• Tragedy: Concludes with a sad ending.

Fiction

• Fantasy: Set in an imaginary realm.
• Folklore: Traditional cultural narratives.
• Historical Fiction: Blends real historical events with fictional stories.
• Mystery: Fiction that feels real but is imaginary.
• Realistic Fiction: Focuses on relatable love stories.
• Science Fiction: Explores future scenarios often involving advanced technology.
• Thriller/Suspense: Engaging, tension-filled narratives.

Non-Fiction Subgenres

• Biography: Accounts of someone’s life authored by another individual.
• Autobiography: The author pens their own life story.
• Narrative Non-Fiction: True stories that maintain a narrative style.
• Periodicals: Regular publications like magazines and newspapers.
• Reference Materials: Lists of facts organized alphabetically for easy access.

Poetry Subcategories

• Lyric: Expresses the speaker's personal emotions.
• Narrative: Tells a story through verse.
• Epic: Lengthy poetry focused on heroic tales.
• Dramatic: Contains spoken words of characters, such as soliloquies or dialogues.

Communication

• Essential for personal, academic, and professional exchanges.

Practical Writing

• Emphasizes clear and factual information, often referred to as functional writing.
• Aims to convey information effectively, used frequently in everyday and work environments.

Elements of Creative Non-Fiction (CNF)

• Fact: Must be based on reality and not fabricated.
• Extensive Research: Involves both primary sources (interviews, experiences) and secondary sources (books, articles).
• Reportage/Reporting: Merges personal experience with documented events and opinions.

Essay Format

• Should encapsulate personal feelings, experiences, and thoughts.
• Creative Non-Fiction largely follows this format and examples include memoirs, personal essays, and literary journalism.

Goal of Practical Writing

• Aimed at being clear, concise, and beneficial to the reader, prioritizing clarity over artistic flair.

Documents That Present Information

• Includes detailed guides on product usage, brief organizational communications, resumes, and cover letters.