Key Terms:

Literature is derived from the Latin word “litera” which means letter. It means “written artistic works, especially those with a high and lasting artistic value.”

Genre

The word genre means "artistic category or style". When you use the term ​literary genre​, you make it clear that you are talking about books and writing.

The word ​genre is French, and it means "kind, sort, or style."

A literary genre is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by

literary technique, tone, content, or even length.

Prose

It is derived from “prosa” which means straightforward. It consists of written works within the common flow of conversation presented in a straightforward manner.

Types of Prose

 Novel

This is a long narrative divided into chapters. The events may be taken from true-to-life stories and spans for a long period of time. There are many characters involved. It is a long prose fiction, usually realistic (as opposed to the romance, a prose fiction that would include tales of adventure).  There are various subgenres of the novel, including Gothic novels (stories of horror like Frankenstein) and historical novels.  A novella is a prose fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a novel.

Short story:

A short prose fiction. This is a narrative involving one or more characters, one plot and usually depicting a single incident with one single impression. It is not as complicated as the novel.

Drama

Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

Plays are meant to be presented on a stage, is divided into acts and each act has many scenes.

Poetry

It is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic language choices as to evoke emotional response.

Folk tales

A traditional narrative, usually anonymous, and handed down orally.

Fables

These are fictitious narratives and they deal with animals and inanimate things that speak and act like people. Their purpose is to enlighten the minds of children to events that can shape their ways and attitudes.

Myth

It is a traditional sacred story, typically revolving around the activities of gods and heroes, which aim to explain a natural phenomenon or cultural practice.

Essay

This expresses the viewpoint or opinion of the writer about a particular problem or event. The best example of this is the Editorial page of a newspaper.

 Biography

This deals with the life of a person which may be about himself, his autobiography

or that of others.

 News

This is a report of everyday events in society, government, science and industry, accidents etc., happening nationally or not.

 Oration

This is a formal treatment of a subject and is intended to be spoken in public. It appeals to the intellect, to the will or to the emotions of the audience.