Literary Genre and Style

Study Notes

A category of literature characterized by a specific form, tone, or purpose
Examples of genres:
- Fiction: novel, short story, romance, science fiction, fantasy
- Nonfiction: biography, autobiography, essay, memoir
- Poetry: sonnet, free verse, haiku
Genres can be blended or hybridized (e.g., science fiction romance)
Genre helps readers understand the tone, style, and expectations of a work

The author's unique way of writing, including:
- Language use (e.g., formal, informal, poetic, concise)
- Tone (e.g., serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic)
- Point of view (e.g., first person, third person limited, omniscient)
- Narrative structure (e.g., linear, non-linear, episodic)
- Use of literary devices (e.g., imagery, symbolism, metaphor)
Style can be influenced by the author's:
- Cultural background
- Personal experiences
- Historical context
- Literary movements (e.g., modernism, realism)

The underlying message, idea, or insight that the author wants to convey
Can be explicit or implicit, and may be open to interpretation
Themes can be:
- Universal (e.g., love, identity, morality)
- Social (e.g., class, race, gender)
- Psychological (e.g., fear, anxiety, hope)
Themes can be developed through:
- Character development
- Plot events
- Symbolism
- Imagery
- Authorial commentary

A category of literature defined by its form, tone, or purpose
Examples of genres include: • Fiction: novel, short story, romance, science fiction, fantasy • Nonfiction: biography, autobiography, essay, memoir • Poetry: sonnet, free verse, haiku
Genres can be blended or hybridized, e.g., science fiction romance
Genre helps readers understand the tone, style, and expectations of a work

The author's unique way of writing, characterized by: • Language use (formal, informal, poetic, concise) • Tone (serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic) • Point of view (first person, third person limited, omniscient) • Narrative structure (linear, non-linear, episodic) • Use of literary devices (imagery, symbolism, metaphor)
Style can be influenced by: • Cultural background • Personal experiences • Historical context • Literary movements (modernism, realism)

The underlying message, idea, or insight that the author wants to convey
Can be explicit or implicit, and may be open to interpretation
Themes can be: • Universal (love, identity, morality) • Social (class, race, gender) • Psychological (fear, anxiety, hope)
Themes can be developed through: • Character development • Plot events • Symbolism • Imagery • Authorial commentary

A category of literature characterized by specific form, tone, or purpose
Examples of fiction genres: novel, short story, romance, science fiction, fantasy
Examples of non-fiction genres: biography, memoir, essay, history, self-help
Sub-genres: a more specific classification within a genre
Example: historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance are sub-genres within the romance genre

The unique way an author expresses themselves through writing
Elements of style: tone, point of view, language, and syntax
Tone: the attitude or feeling conveyed by the author
Point of view: the perspective from which the story is told
Language: the use of vocabulary, imagery, and figurative language
Syntax: the arrangement of words and phrases
Style can be formal or informal, objective or subjective, depending on the author's intent

The underlying message or idea explored in a literary work
Themes can be universal, cultural, or philosophical
Universal themes: applicable to all humanity, such as love, death, or identity
Cultural themes: specific to a particular culture or society
Philosophical themes: exploring fundamental questions about existence or reality
Themes are often implied, rather than directly stated, and can be open to interpretation

Imaginative writing that is not based on fact
Characteristics: invented characters, events, and settings
Often includes plot, conflict, and resolution
Can be written in various genres, such as novel, short story, or poetry
Purposes of fictional literature: entertainment, social commentary, and exploration of the human condition

Writing that is based on fact and accuracy
Characteristics: factual information and data
Often includes research, evidence, and analysis
Can include biography, memoir, essay, history, and other forms
Purposes of non-fictional literature: inform or educate, persuade or convince, and document historical events or experiences