Writing is a skill that has evolved over centuries and is an essential form of communication, expression, and creativity. Whether it’s jotting down thoughts in a personal diary or crafting literature-grade content for publication, writing can be appreciated as both an art and a science.
While there are many ways to classify the various forms of writing, there are six main genres that encapsulate most types of written works. These genres serve as templates for writers to decide on what format their work should take before diving into the nitty-gritty details. Every genre requires its own specific set of skills like structure, style, tone, etc., which makes each genre unique.
In this article, we’ll explore the six main genres of writing – fiction prose, non-fiction prose (narrative), poetry poetry dramatics (plays/screenplays), technical/scientific reports – in detail so you can understand them better.
1) Fiction Prose:
One of the first things people think about when they hear ‘writing’ is storytelling through fiction prose. This genre includes novels, novellas or short stories that describe imaginary events or characters created by authors who aim to entertain and engage readers with their writings. Fiction involves using imagination to create something new from scratch while keeping it rooted enough in reality such that readers feel connected to these invented worlds.
Fictional stories tend to give more significant importance to character development than other elements such as plot pacing since human emotions drive narratives forward here. The language used here may be flowery at times due intensionally employed linguistic stylings therein . Examples include George R.R Martin’s A Song Of Ice And Fire series (commonly known as Game Of Thrones).
2) Non-Fiction Prose:
This type deals with real-world experiences relayed by writers who aim towards providing information or an idea rather than fictitious world-building imaginings centered around crafted personae/proxies .
Works belonging under this genre offer historical accounts, memoirs, and other narratives that aim to provide educational perspectives grounded in noteworthy events or stories. Non-fiction is normally written by professionals who have dipped their toes deep into fields such as engineering of science wherein novelty and true-life utility take center stage.
Authors aiming towards the non-fiction genre rely not just on solid factual foundations to paint depictions for readers but also on well-written prose known that can be easily grasped for effective communication. An excellent example of a widely viewed documentary founded upon scientific discoveries belongs Planet Earth (the BBC production).
3) Poetry:
The key feature that distinguishes poetry from all other genres found within writing lies in how it makes use of language; poets at times switch classic syntaxes/subvert rules and employ literary devices like allegory/metaphors to convey complex themes often explored through subjective means rather than objective facts . This genre’s primary objective is elevating feelings/emotions where they are much harder to articulate with regular diction.
A poem can come in various styles, e.g., spoken word pieces or verse poems coupled with music accompaniment. By nature, poems seek to explore human emotions beyond what regular sentences might do justice.
Some famous works under this domain include William Wordsworth’s Daffodils which encourages reflection upon appreciation garnered via sight after experiencing awe-inspiring natural phenomena and Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise which celebrates overcoming past trauma/ challenges while affirming one’s self-worth
4) Dramatics:
Also referred to as scripts/screenplays , dramatic lines serve as instructions for actors and directors when creating theater plays/movies respectively . In scriptwriting the author aims highlighting key approaches beneficial toward successful drama execution during live performances / movie-screen showdowns .
Dramatic writers need specific knowledge about things like scene pacing/effects/juxtaposition , spatial prop arrangements onstage ; obviously these differ markedly from processes native harbored during non-dramatic script forms hence requiring creative attention alongside precision.
Oftentimes, dramatic works explore themes most literature or other forms of writing might shy away from since stage/screen production gives writers leeway to showcase what has only existed in their imagination; dramatic writers can depict fantastical events/undo societal norms with more ease than fiction. Some examples include Tony Kushner’s Angels In America and Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet.
5) Technical Reports:
This genre is factual like non-fiction prose but goes further to make recommendations based on gathered knowledge , often while exploring the potential impact created by the investigative research performed which makes final submissions backed by solidly founded resolved ideas being presented .
Technical writing tends to be frank/commonsensical in heading – wherein readers expect an almost instructional form of speech employed in a bid for clarity instead emphasizing creativity or language flourishes seen within other genres discussed earlier. This form of writing caters mainly towards academic documents/discussions prepared by professionals aimed at providing insight about specific subjects essential toward publication
Reports that may fall under this category are white papers , research reports alongside peer-reviewed/academic journal pieces done up with technical formatting such as APA, MLA, etc.. The authors who embark on this genre ‘s work rely heavily upon accurate representation of said scientific claims stated so as not discourage “distrust” pop-up moments from drafting individuals finding ”loopholes” within these fact-based arguments .Example sources would include Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) studies amongst others critical to affected scenarios across many fields ranging from health safety warnings eg COVID-19 Directives put forward by medical professionals globally to tech-proffessional related distributions eg OpenAI Global Risks report update – both collectively defining pivotal moments within history noted in scientific documentation thriving under tight-knit sensorial guidelines constraints prescribing precise grammar/syntax standards required establishing/maintaining validity purviews sufficient enough garnering acceptance trust based upon sound written evidence provided .
6) Personal Essays:
Personal essays belong typically within the non-fiction domain but lean on aspects closer to subjective fiction, especially when exploring personal life musings/happenings. These essays usually include an author’s reflection on how certain events/events transformed their lives or come up with commentary/opinions about topical issues affecting society as a whole . Emotions implicit in staging these narratives aside from point of view differences enable readers understand and identify with these deeply feelings giving way to common empathy.
Personal essays prioritize opening up insight into individuals – whether influential characters within popular culture or everyday citizens; they are often candid showcases exposing oddities encompassing more complex realities that make us mortalised beings .- This inclusion is sometimes done using humor , making use of intricate grammars/syntaxes presented in attempts formulating clever insights into reflexive thought patterns .
Overall, it’s worth noting while there are multiple genres found within writing, one doesn’t necessarily preclude the other since authors can combine two/ three/ even all six styles discussed highlighting various technical aspects forming coherent works specific towards reader demands/preferences – nonetheless mastering specific genre forms assists writers utilizing strengths supporting composition based upon individual writing style thereby strongly crucial stage honing talent hence required solid frequent practiced scheduling gradually improve upon foundational strengths before expanding outwards till established submitting peer-reviewed contributions stand-out vis-a-vis industry relevant guidelines set forth standards guiding submission/marketing process held in high regard.