Lecture on Literary Genres and Subgenres

Introduction

• Literature: Books and other writings, usually by expert authors.
• Literary Genre: A category of literature.

Main Literary Genres

1. Drama

   • Definition: A play for theater, told by character dialogue.
   • Examples: Can be read or watched.

2. Fiction

   • Definition: Stories not based on real events.
   • Example: "Twilight" (vampires).

3. Nonfiction

   • Definition: Factual writing.
   • Example: Textbooks.

4. Poetry

   • Definition: Writing using language and sounds in special ways.
   • Example: Rhyming verses.

Subgenres of Literary Genres

Drama Subgenres

• Comedy: Funny drama with happy endings (e.g., "Comedy of Errors" by Shakespeare).
• Tragedy: Sad drama with sad endings (e.g., "Romeo and Juliet" by Shakespeare).

Fiction Subgenres

1. Fantasy: Set in an imaginary world (e.g., "Harry Potter").
2. Folklore: Cultural stories (e.g., Russian folklore "Baba Yaga").
3. Historical Fiction: Based on real historical events but with fictional characters (e.g., "Gone with the Wind").
4. Mystery: Crime stories (e.g., "And Then She Was Gone").
5. Realistic Fiction: Seem real but are fictional (e.g., "Jane Eyre").
6. Romance: Love stories (e.g., "A Perfect Gentleman").
7. Science Fiction: Future with advanced technology (e.g., "The Hunger Games").
8. Thriller: Exciting and suspenseful stories (e.g., "The Girl with No Past").

Nonfiction Subgenres

1. Biography: Life story of someone else (e.g., "Albert Einstein" by Walter Isaacson).
2. Autobiography: A person's own life story (e.g., Benjamin Franklin's autobiography).
3. Narrative Nonfiction: Real-life stories (e.g., "Turn Right at Machu Picchu").
4. Periodicals: Regularly published magazines and newspapers.
5. Reference Materials: Factual books listed alphabetically (e.g., dictionaries).

Poetry Subgenres

1. Lyric: Poems about the speaker's thoughts (e.g., haikus).
2. Narrative: Poems that tell a story (e.g., "Beowulf").
3. Dramatic Poetry: Words spoken by a character (e.g., soliloquies by Shakespeare).

Practice Questions

1. Genre of a story about plants that come to life: Fiction, Fantasy.
2. Book about a famous soccer star: Nonfiction, Biography.
3. Encyclopedia entry on Vitamin E: Nonfiction, Reference Material.
4. Humorous play "The Taming of the Shrew": Drama, Comedy.
5. Long poem about Achilles: Poetry, Epic.
6. Weekly newspaper "Main Street Times": Nonfiction, Periodical.
7. Sad play about Oedipus Rex: Drama, Tragedy.
8. Poem about thoughts on friendship: Poetry, Lyric.
9. Story of life in the year 3023: Fiction, Science Fiction.
10. Characters in World War I: Fiction, Historical Fiction.

Conclusion

• Understanding and identifying literary genres and subgenres can enhance comprehension and appreciation of literature.