List of fictional genres

Writing genres (commonly known, more narrowly, as literary genres) are determined by narrative technique, tone, content, and by critics' definitions of the genres. Writing genres may be fictional or non-fictional.

Genre is a label that characterizes elements a reader can expect in a work of literature. The major forms of literature can be written in various genres. Genre is a category characterized by similarities in style, or subject matter.

The classic major genres of literature are:

Genre may fall under one of two categories: fiction and non-fiction. Any genre can be either a work of fiction (nonfactual descriptions and events invented by the author) or a work of nonfiction (a communication in which descriptions and events are understood to be factual).

Subsets of genres, known as common genres, have developed from the archetypes of genres in written expression.

Literary fiction is a term used to distinguish certain fictional works that possess commonly held qualities to readers outside genre fiction. Literary fiction has been defined as any fiction that attempts to engage with one or more truths or questions, hence relevant to a broad scope of humanity as a form of expression. There are many sources that help readers find and define literary fiction and genre fiction.

Some genres listed may reappear throughout the list, indicating cross-genre status.

These are genres belonging to the realm of non-fiction. Some genres listed may reappear throughout the list, indicating cross-genre status.

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