GENRES OF WRITING

Writing, as an art form and a means of communication, takes on a multitude of shapes and
purposes. These diverse expressions of the written word are known as genres of writing, each
with its unique characteristics and objectives. From the informative clarity of expository writing
to the imaginative realms of creative writing, and the persuasive power of argumentative prose,
the world of writing encompasses a rich tapestry of styles and forms. In this exploration, we
delve into the distinctive features and purposes of various writing genres, shedding light on the
artistry and utility that each brings to the realm of written expression.
It must be understood that each Genre serves distinct purposes and engages readers differently.
Writers often choose a genre based on their goals, audience, and the type of message they want
to convey. Mastery of these genres allows writers to effectively communicate in various contexts
and styles.
1. Expository Writing:
Purpose: To inform, explain, or describe a topic in a straightforward manner. Characteristics:
Clarity, objectivity, use of facts and evidence, logical organization. Examples: Textbooks,
encyclopedias, research papers, technical manuals.
2. Narrative Writing:
Purpose: To tell a story or narrate events, often with characters, a plot, and a setting.
Characteristics: Engaging storytelling, descriptive language, and chronological order.
Examples: Novels, short stories, autobiographies, memoirs.
3. Persuasive Writing:
Purpose: To persuade or convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.
Characteristics: Strong arguments, emotional appeals, use of evidence and reasoning.
Examples: Opinion articles, advertisements, speeches, political essays.
4. Descriptive Writing:
Purpose: To create vivid sensory images and convey a sense of detail about a subject.
Characteristics:* Rich and vivid language, sensory descriptions, figurative language.
Examples: Poetry, travel writing, creative nonfiction.
5. Argumentative Writing:
Purpose: To present a clear argument or thesis and support it with evidence and reasoning.
Characteristics: Strong thesis statement, counterarguments, logical structure.
Examples: Persuasive essays, debate speeches, legal briefs.
6. Technical Writing:
Purpose: To communicate technical information in a clear and concise manner.
Characteristics: Precision, use of technical terminology, organization.
Examples: User manuals, scientific reports, engineering documentation.
Creative Writing:
Purpose: To express imagination and creativity through various literary forms.
Characteristics: Literary devices, unique narrative styles, artistic expression.
Examples: Poetry, fiction (e.g., novels, short stories), creative nonfiction.
7. Journalistic Writing:
Purpose: To report news and factual information to the public in an objective manner.
Characteristics: Clarity, objectivity, concise reporting, adherence to journalistic ethics.
Examples: News articles, feature stories, editorials, investigative reports.
MAJOR TYPES OF LITERATURE GENRES
1. Prose:
Prose is defined as any kind of written text that isn’t poetry. It is the type of literature read most
often and taught in English classrooms. The most typical varieties of prose are novels and short
stories, while other types include letters, diaries, journals, and non-fiction. Prose is written in
complete sentences and organized in paragraphs tending to focus on plot and characters. Like
Poetry, Prose is broken down into a large number of other sub-genres such as novellas,
biographies, and memoirs revolve around the structure of the text while others like romances,
fantasies, and mysteries are based on the subject matter.
Note: Poetry and Drama both belong to the broader category of fiction texts that feature events
and characters that have been made up.
2. Poetry:
Poetry is the oldest form of literature. Before the invention of “writing”, oral stories were
commonly put into some sort of poetic form to make them easier to remember and recite. Some
poems certainly follow strict forms of Rhymes and counting syllables and lines but other types of
poetry are so free-form (lack any rhymes or common patterns). There are even kinds of poetry
that cross genre lines, such as prose poetry. In general, though, a text is a poem when it has some
sort of meter or rhythm as poetry focuses on sound not the sentences.
3. Drama:
Any text meant to be performed rather than read can be considered drama unless it’s a poem
meant to be performed, of course. In layman’s terms, dramas are usually called plays. When
written down the bulk of a drama is dialogue, with periodic stage directions such as “he looks
away angrily.” Of all the genres of literature discussed in this article, drama is the one given the
least time in most classrooms. And often when drama is taught, it’s only read the same way you
might read a novel.
4. Media:
The Newest type of literature that has been defined as a distinct genre is media to encompass the
many new and important kinds of texts in our society today, such as movies and films, websites,
commercials, billboards, and radio programs. Any work that doesn’t exist primarily as a written
text can probably be considered media, particularly if it relies on recently developed
technologies. Media literature can serve a wide variety of purposes—among other things it can
educate, entertain, advertise, and or persuade. Media literacy is a way for educators to help
students become participants in their own culture, through lessons on creating their own websites
or home movies or commercials.
5. Fiction (In Prose):
Drama (Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts
and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.), Fable (Narration demonstrating a
useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale.), Fairy
Tale (Story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children.), Fantasy (Fiction with
strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality.),
Fiction (Narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not
necessarily based on fact.
Realistic Fiction (Story that can actually happen and is true to life.), Science Fiction (Story
based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other
planets.), Short Story (Fiction of such brevity that it supports no subplots.), Tall Tale
(Humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with
nonchalance.)
Fiction in Verse (Poetry):
Poetry (Verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses.), Full-length
novels in which the narrative is presented in (usually blank) verse form with plot, subplot(s),
theme(s), major and minor characters.), Folklore (The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a
people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth.), Historical Fiction (Story with fictional
characters and events in a historical setting.), Horror (Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of
dread in both the characters and the reader.), Humor (Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement,
meant to entertain; but can be contained in all genres.) Legend (Story, sometimes of a national or
folk hero, which has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material.), Mystery (Fiction
dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.), Mythology (Legend or
traditional narrative, 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.)
6. Non-Fiction:
Non-fiction is a vast category of types of prose including many different sub-genres i. e.
 Creative such as the Personal Essay (Factual to Personal and Persuasive etc.)
o (A short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point.),
 Factual such as the Scientific Paper
o Narrative Nonfiction
(Factual information presented in a format which tells a story.)
o Non-fiction
(Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject.)
 A Story such as the Biography/Autobiography
o Narrative of a person's life, a true story about a real person, histories, textbooks, travel
books, newspapers, self-help books, and literary criticism
 A Speech (Public address or discourse.)
Most of the time the purpose is to pass on information and educate the reader about certain facts,
ideas, and/or issues. The varieties of Non-fiction most often used in the classroom are
textbooks, literary criticism, and essays of various sorts.