A genre (pronounced /ˈʒɑːnrə/, also /ˈdʒɑːnrə/; from French "kind" or "sort", from Latin: genus (stem gener-)) is a loose set of criteria for a category of composition; the term is often used to categorize literature and speech, but is also used for any other form of art or utterance. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Art refers to a diverse range of Human activities creations and expressions that are appealing to the Senses or Emotions of a human individual An utterance is a complete unit of speech in Spoken language.

Genres are vague categories with no fixed boundaries. Genres are formed by sets of conventions, and many works cross into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conventions. The scope of the word "genre" is sometimes confined to art and culture, particularly literature, but it has a long history in rhetoric as well. Art refers to a diverse range of Human activities creations and expressions that are appealing to the Senses or Emotions of a human individual Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic A literary genre is a category of literary composition Genres may be determined by Literary technique, tone, Content, or even (as in the case of fiction In genre studies the concept of genre is not compared to originality. Genre studies are a structuralist approach to Literary theory, Film theory, and other cultural theories. Rather, all works are recognized as either reflecting on or participating in the conventions of genre.

Contents 1 Subgenre and hybrid forms 2 Age categories 3 Genre and audiences 4 "Hierarchy of genres" in painting 5 Genre in linguistics 6 List of Genres 7 References 8 External links

Subgenre and hybrid forms

Genres are often divided into subgenres. Literature, for example, is divided into three basic kinds of literature, which are the classic genres of Ancient Greece: poetry, drama, and prose. Literature is the Art of written works Literally translated the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from Latin littera letter Drama is the specific mode of Fiction represented in Performance. For the Wikipedia guideline regarding editing articles see WikipediaManual of Style. Poetry may then be subdivided into epic, lyric, and dramatic. An epic is a lengthy Narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation Lyric poetry refers to a usually short poem that expresses personal feelings which may or may not be set to music Verse drama is any Drama written as verse to be spoken another possible general term is poetic drama. Subdivisions of drama includes foremost comedy and tragedy, while eg. Comedy (from the Greek κωμωδίαkomodia has a popular meaning (any discourse generally intended to amuse especially in Television, Film, and comedy itself has subgenres, including farce, comedy of manners, burlesque, satire, and so on. A farce is a Comedy written for the stage or film which aims to Entertain the audience by means of unlikely extravagant and improbable situations disguise and mistaken The comedy of manners satirizes the manners and affectations of a Social class, often represented by Stock characters, such as the Miles gloriosus Burlesque is a genre of entertainment also known as Travesty. Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human However, any of these terms would be called "genre", and its possible more general terms implied.

Genre also has a rich tradition in speech-making and criticism. Classical rhetoricians in Greece suggested that there were three primary genres of speech: forensic, deliberative, and epideictic. Forensic speeches are informative, aiming to establish something that happened. Deliberative speeches try to persuade an audience. Epideictic speeches praise or blame a person, value, or event. As with literary genres, there are subgenres that exist under each of these over-arching genres: apologia, funeral orations, and the after-dinner speech might be considered three sub-genres of epideictic rhetoric.

Hybrid forms of different terms have been used, like a prose poem or a tragicomedy. This article refers to a poetic form For the competitive speech event see Prose & Poetry. Tragicomedy is Fictional work that blend aspects of the Genres of Tragedy and Comedy. Science fiction has many recognized subgenres; a science fiction story may be rooted in real scientific expectations as they are understood at the time of writing (see Hard science fiction). Hard science fiction is a category of Science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail or on scientific accuracy or on both A more general term, coined by Robert A. Heinlein, is "speculative fiction," an umbrella term covering all such genres that depict alternate realities. Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7 1907 – May 8 1988 was an American Novelist and Science fiction Writer. Speculative fiction is a term used as an inclusive descriptor covering a group of Fiction Genres that speculate about worlds that are unlike the real world in Even fiction that depicts innovations ruled out by current scientific theory, such as stories about or based on faster-than-light travel, are still science fiction, because science is a main subject in the piece of art.

Age categories

Most genres may also be segmented by the age demographic:

• Children's fiction
• Young-adult fiction
• Adult Fiction

Genre and audiences

Although genres are not precisely definable, genre considerations are one of the most important factors in determining what a person will see or read. Children's literature is an age category of literature written for published for or marketed to Children roughly through age 12 Young-adult fiction (often abbreviated as YA fiction, or simply YA) is Fiction written for published for or marketed to adolescents roughly between the Many genres have built-in audiences and corresponding publications that support them, such as magazines and websites. Magazines, periodicals or serials are Publications generally published on a regular schedule containing a variety of articles, generally Books and movies that are difficult to categorize into a genre are likely to be less successful commercially.

The term may be used in categorising web pages, like "newspage" and "fanpage", with both very different layout, audience, and intention. A web page or webpage is a resource of information that is suitable for the World Wide Web and can be accessed through a Web browser. Some search engines like Vivísimo try to group found web pages into automated categories in an attempt to show various genres the search hits might fit. Vivísimo is a privately held Enterprise search software company in Pittsburgh that develops and sells software products to improve search on the web and in enterprises

"Hierarchy of genres" in painting

In the field of painting, there exists a "hierarchy of genres" associated with the Académie française which once held a central role in academic art. Painting (pān'tīng in Art, is the practice of applying Color to a Surface (support base such as e A hierarchy of genres is any formalization which ranks different types of Genres in an art-form in terms of their value L'Académie française, or the French Academy, is the pre-eminent French learned body on matters pertaining to the French language. Academic art is a style of Painting and Sculpture produced under the influence of European academies or universities These genres in hierarchical order are:

• History painting
• Genre works
• Portrait painting
• Landscape painting
• Still life painting

These categories played an important role between the 17th century and the modern era, when painters and critics began to rebel against the many rules of the Académie française, including the Académie's preference for history painting. History painting, as formulated in 1667 by André Félibien, a historiographer architect and theoretician of French Classicism, was in the Hierarchy Genre works, also called genre scenes or genre views, are pictorial representations in any of various media that represent scenes or events from everyday life See Portrait for more about the general topic of portraits Portrait painting is a genre in Painting, where the intent is to Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land including physical elements such as Landforms living elements of flora and fauna abstract elements such as lighting This article is about Still Life (or still lifes as plural the art form As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar Painting (pān'tīng in Art, is the practice of applying Color to a Surface (support base such as e The word critic comes from the Greek el κριτικός ( el-Latn kritikós) "able to discern" which in turn derives from the word

Genre in linguistics

In philosophy of language, figuring very prominently in the works of philosopher and literary scholar Mikhail Bakhtin. Philosophy of language is the reasoned inquiry into the nature origins and usage of Language. Mikhail Mikhailovich Bakhtin ( Russian: Михаил Михайлович Бахти́н mʲɪxʌˈil mʲɪˈxajləvʲɪʨ bʌxˈtʲin ( November 17, 1895 Bakhtin's basic observations were of "speech genres" (the idea of heteroglossia), modes of speaking or writing that people learn to mimic, weave together, and manipulate (such as "formal letter" and "grocery list", or "university lecture" and "personal anecdote"). In Linguistics, the term heteroglossia describes the coexistence of distinct varieties within a single linguistic code In this sense genres are socially specified: recognized and defined (often informally) by a particular culture or community. The work of Georg Lukács also touches on the nature of literary genres, appearing separately but around the same time (1920s–1930s) as Bakhtin. György Lukács (pronounced in IPA dyɶrdyə ˈlukɑtʃ) ( April 13, 1885 – June 4, 1971) was a Hungarian A literary genre is a category of literary composition Genres may be determined by Literary technique, tone, Content, or even (as in the case of fiction Norman Fairclough has a similar concept of genre that emphasises the social context of the text: Genres are "different ways of (inter)acting discoursally" (Fairclough, 2003: 26)

However, this is just one way of conceiving genre. Norman Fairclough (1941 - is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at Lancaster University. Charaudeau & Maingueneau determine four different analytic conceptualisations of genre. A text's genre may be determined by its: 1. Linguistic function. 2. Formal traits. 3. Textual organisation. 4. Relation of communicative situation to formal and organisational traits of the text (Charaudeau & Maingueneau 2002: 278-80).

List of Genres

Main article: Literary genre

• Historical: A story about a real person or event. A literary genre is a category of literary composition Genres may be determined by Literary technique, tone, Content, or even (as in the case of fiction History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology Often, they are written in a text book format, which may or may not focus on solely that person or event. A textbook is a manual of instruction or a standard book in any branch of study
  • Biography: The details of the life story of a real person, told by someone else. A biography (from the Greek words bíos (βίος meaning "life" and gráphein (γράφειν meaning "to write" is an account
    • Autobiography: Essentially the same as a biography, with the exception that the story is written by the person who is the subject of the story. An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" A biography (from the Greek words bíos (βίος meaning "life" and gráphein (γράφειν meaning "to write" is an account
    • Memoir: Similar to autobiography, with the exception that it is told more "from memory", i. for other uses see Memoir (disambiguation As a literary Genre, a memoir (from the French: mémoire An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" e. it is how the person personally remembers and feels about their life or a stage in their life, more than the exact, recorded details of that period. Though memoirs are often more subjective than autobiography works, memoirs are generally still considered to be nonfiction works. An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" Non-fiction is an account or representation of a subject which is presented as Fact. There are also some fiction works that purport to be the "memoirs" of fictional characters as well, done in a similar style, however, these are in a separate genre from their nonfiction counterparts. Fiction is the telling of stories which are not real More specifically fiction is an imaginative form of Narrative, one of the four basic Rhetorical modes.
  • Historical Fiction: A story that takes place in the real world, with real world people, but with several fictionalized or dramatized elements. Historical fiction is a sub-genre of Fiction that often portrays alternate accounts or dramatization of historical figures or events This may or may not crossover with other genres; for example, fantasy fiction or science fiction may play a part, as is the case for instance with the novel George Washington's Socks, which includes time travel elements. CrossOver (known before version 60 as CrossOver Office) is the collective name for three commercial and proprietary programs developed by CodeWeavers Fantasy is a Genre that uses magic and other Supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting This article details time travel itself For other uses see Time Traveler.
    • Alternate history: A more extreme variant of historical fiction which posits a what if scenario in which some historical event occurs differently (or not at all), thus altering the course of history; for instance, "What if the South won the American Civil War?" is an Alternate History concept that has had treatment in fiction. Alternate history or alternative history is a subgenre of Speculative fiction (or Science fiction) and Historical fiction Historical fiction is a sub-genre of Fiction that often portrays alternate accounts or dramatization of historical figures or events History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Alternate History is sometimes (though not universally) referred to as a subgenre of science fiction or speculative fiction, and like historical fiction, may include more fantastical elements (for instance, the Temeraire series uses the fantasy element of dragons to create an Alternate History plot set during the Napoleonic Era). Speculative fiction is a term used as an inclusive descriptor covering a group of Fiction Genres that speculate about worlds that are unlike the real world in Historical fiction is a sub-genre of Fiction that often portrays alternate accounts or dramatization of historical figures or events Temeraire is a series of Novels by Naomi Novik The dragon is a Legendary creature of which some interpretation or depiction appears in almost every culture worldwide Timeline of the Napoleonic eraThe Napoleonic Era is a period in the History of France and Europe
• Adventure: A story about a protagonist who journeys to epic or distant places to accomplish something. An adventure is an activity that comprises Risky dangerous and uncertain experiences The Protagonist or main character is the central figure of a story. It can have many other genre elements included within it, because it is a very open genre.
• Action: A story, similar to Adventure, but the protagonist usually takes a risky turn, which leads to desperate situations (including explosions, fight scenes, daring escapes, etc. The action genre is a class of creative works characterised by a greater emphasis on exciting action sequences than on character development or story-telling The Protagonist or main character is the central figure of a story. An explosion is a sudden increase in Volume and release of Energy in an extreme manner usually with the generation of high Temperatures and the release Stage combat is a specialized technique in Theatre designed to create the Illusion of physical Combat without causing harm to the performers ). Action and Adventure are usually categorized together (sometimes even as "action-adventure") because they have much in common, and many stories fall under both genres simultaneously (for instance, the James Bond series can be classified as both). James Bond 007 is a Fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve Novels and two Short story
  • Superhero: A modern story about a person or creature who possesses supernatural or superhuman abilities. A superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a Fictional character "of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do The term supernatural or supranatural ( Latin: super, supra "above" + natura "nature" pertains to entities events A superhuman is an entity with intelligence or abilities exceeding normal human standards Often, they use their abilities to protect or avenge others; hence the "hero" portion of the term. A hero (from Greek grc ἥρως hērōs) in Greek mythology and Folklore, was originally a Demigod, the offspring of a mortal and It should be noted that while the genre is reasonably common and broadly-definable (it can include science fiction, fantasy or both for instance), the term "superhero" is in fact technically a trademark (owned jointly) of DC Comics and Marvel Comics, who between them coined the term; thus, many games and stories that are not owned in part by either company often refer in-story and often in-title to their characters as "heroes" or other stand-in terms meant to imply their superhuman nature (examples of the former usage include the television series Heroes and the video game City of Heroes; an example of the latter is The Incredibles, which refers to its superheroic characters as "supers"). Fantasy is a Genre that uses magic and other Supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc Heroes is an American Science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring, which premiered on NBC on September City of Heroes (CoH is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the Superhero Comic book Genre, developed by The Incredibles is a 2004 Computer-animated feature Film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, The genre should not be confused with heroic mythology or folkloric tales, as older, traditional folk characters such as Hercules or Robin Hood generally are not considered to fall under the "superhero" genre. The word mythology (from the Greek grc μυθολογία mythología, meaning "a story-telling a legendary lore" History The concept of folklore developed as part of the 19th century ideology of Romantic nationalism, leading to the reshaping of oral traditions to serve modern ideological Hercules is the Roman name for the Mythical Greek hero Heracles, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. Robin Hood is an archetypal figure in English folklore, whose story originates from medieval times but who remains significant in popular culture where
  • Military: A story about a war or battle that can either be historical or fictional. A military is an Organization authorized by its Nation to use force usually including use of Weapons in defending its Country (or by attacking It usually follows the events a certain warrior goes through during the battle's events.
  • Spy fiction: A story about a secret agent or military personnel member who is sent on a secret espionage mission. The Genre of spy fiction —sometimes called political thriller or spy thriller or sometimes shortened simply to Spy-fi —arose before Usually, they are equipped with special gadgets that prove useful during the mission, and they have special training in things such as unarmed combat or computer hacking. Hand-to-hand combat (sometimes abbreviated as HTH or H2H is a generic term for Close quarters fighting, particularly when the outcome is potentially fatal as in Melee In Computing, hacker has several meanings A community of enthusiast Computer programmers and Systems designers originated in the 1960s They may or may not work for a specific government. For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government.
  • Swashbuckler: A story about a protagonist who gets into risky situations. Swashbuckler or swasher is a term that developed in the 16th century to describe rough noisy and boastful Swordsmen It is based on a fighting style using a The Protagonist or main character is the central figure of a story. In the story, the protagonist is usually in fights against villains, using weapons. The single handed sword is most commonly used by the protagonists in this genre.
  • Martial arts film: A story characterized by extensive fighting scenes employing various types of martial arts. For other uses see Martial arts (disambiguation Martial arts film is a Film genre that originated in the Pacific Rim.
    • Kung Fu: An action story set in China or associated with Chinese martial arts. Kung fu and wushu are popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese Martial arts.
• Science Fiction: A story about technology or the future. It generally includes or is centered on the presumed effects or ramifications of computers or machines, travel through space, time or alternate universes, alien lifeforms, genetic engineering, or other such things. A computer is a Machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions. A machine is any device that uses Energy to perform some activity This article details time travel itself For other uses see Time Traveler. See also List of extraterrestrials in fiction In Popular cultures Life forms -especially intelligent life forms that are of extraterrestrial Genetic engineering, Recombinant DNA technology, genetic modification/manipulation (GM and gene splicing are terms that apply to the direct The science or technology used may or may not be very thoroughly elaborated on; stories whose scientific elements are reasonably detailed, well-researched and considered to be relatively plausible given current knowledge and technology are often referred to as hard science fiction. Hard science fiction is a category of Science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail or on scientific accuracy or on both Owing to the wide breadth of the genre, it very commonly has elements from other genres, such as action, comedy, alternate history, military or spy fiction, and fantasy mixed in, with such combinations often forming new major subgenres in their own right (see below). History The first government bus services available to the general public appeared in 1926 running from Eastlake to Ainslie. See also Science fiction, Comedy Comic science fiction is a sub- Genre of Science fiction that exploits the genre's conventions for Alternate history or alternative history is a subgenre of Speculative fiction (or Science fiction) and Historical fiction Fantasy is a Genre that uses magic and other Supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting
  • Military Science Fiction: A story about a war or battle against aliens, monsters or other nations. Military science fiction is a Subgenre of Science fiction in which the principal characters are members of a military service and an armed conflict is taking It usually has technology far superior to today's, but not necessarily implausible. Military Science Fiction essentially is the addition of science fiction elements into a military fiction story.
  • Space Opera: A story characterized by the extent of space travel and distinguished by the amount of time that protagonists spend in an active, spacefaring lifestyle. Space opera is a subgenre of Speculative fiction or Science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often Melodramatic adventure set mainly or entirely Star Trek, Star Blazers and Star Wars have often been categorized as such. is a Japanese Science fiction Anime series and the name of its eponymous space craft. Star Wars is an epic Space opera franchise initially conceived by George Lucas during the 1970s and significantly expanded
• Punk: An umbrella term, and suffix, for several Science Fiction subgenres, normally categorized by distinct technologies and sciences. The themes tend to be cynical or dystopian, and a person, or group of people, fighting the corruption of the government. Cynicism (Kυνισμός originally comprised the various philosophies of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by A dystopia (from the Greek δυσ- and τόπος alternatively cacotopia, kakotopia, cackotopia, or anti-utopia) is the vision of a society Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain
  • Cyberpunk: A futuristic storyline dealing with people who have been physically or mentally enhanced with cybernetic components, often featuring cyborgs or the singularity as a major theme, and generally somewhat cynical or dystopian (hence the "punk" portion of the name). Cyberpunk is a Science fiction genre noted for its focus on " High tech and low life. Cybernetics is the interdisciplinary study of the Structure of Complex systems especially Communication processes control mechanisms and Feedback A cyborg is a Cybernetic Organism ( ie, an organism that has both artificial and natural systems The technological singularity is a theoretical future point of unprecedented technological progress caused in part by the ability of machines to improve themselves using Artificial Cynicism (Kυνισμός originally comprised the various philosophies of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by A dystopia (from the Greek δυσ- and τόπος alternatively cacotopia, kakotopia, cackotopia, or anti-utopia) is the vision of a society This is often confused or placed with Techno-Thriller, which is actually a separate and less specialized genre.
    • Postcyberpunk describes a subgenre of science fiction which some critics suggest has evolved from cyberpunk. Postcyberpunk describes a subgenre of Science fiction which some Critics suggest has evolved from Cyberpunk. Cyberpunk is a Science fiction genre noted for its focus on " High tech and low life. Like its predecessor, postcyberpunk focuses on technological developments in near-future societies, typically examining the social effects of a ubiquitous datasphere of computerized information, genetic engineering, modification of the human body, and the continued impact of perpetual technological change. Postcyberpunk describes a subgenre of Science fiction which some Critics suggest has evolved from Cyberpunk. Genetic engineering, Recombinant DNA technology, genetic modification/manipulation (GM and gene splicing are terms that apply to the direct Unlike "pure" cyberpunk, however, the works in this category feature characters who act to improve social conditions or at least protect the status quo from further decay. Cyberpunk is a Science fiction genre noted for its focus on " High tech and low life. Status quo is a Latin term meaning the present existing state of affairs or "the state in which"
    • Dieselpunk: Initially proposed as a genre by the creators of the role-playing game Children of the Sun,[12] dieselpunk refers to fiction inspired by mid-century pulp stories and set in a world similar to steampunk though specifically characterized by the rise of petroleum power and technocratic perception, incorporating neo-noir elements and sharing themes more clearly with cyberpunk than steampunk. A number of cyberpunk derivatives have become recognized as distinct subgenres in Speculative fiction. A number of cyberpunk derivatives have become recognized as distinct subgenres in Speculative fiction. Cyberpunk is a Science fiction genre noted for its focus on " High tech and low life. Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and Speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s Though the notability of dieselpunk as a genre is not entirely uncontested, installments ranging from the retro-futuristic film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow to the 2001 Activision video game Return to Castle Wolfenstein have been suggested as quintessential dieselpunk works of fiction. A number of cyberpunk derivatives have become recognized as distinct subgenres in Speculative fiction. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a 2004 American Pulp adventure, Science fiction film written and directed by Kerry Return to Castle Wolfenstein is a First person shooter Computer game published by Activision and originally released on November 19 A number of cyberpunk derivatives have become recognized as distinct subgenres in Speculative fiction.
  • Steampunk: A story that takes place around the time steam technology was first coming into use. Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and Speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s The industrial revolution is a common time frame which steam punk stories take place in, and the steam technology is often actually more advanced than the real technology of time (for instance, Steam Detective features steam-powered robots). The Industrial Revolution was a period in the late 18th and early 19th centuries when major changes in agriculture manufacturing and transportation had a profound effect on the Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and Speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s
    • Clockpunk: It has been occasionally used to refer to a subgenre of speculative fiction which is similar to steampunk, but deviates in its technology. A number of cyberpunk derivatives have become recognized as distinct subgenres in Speculative fiction. Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and Speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s As with steampunk, it portrays advanced technology based on pre-modern designs, but rather than the steam power of the Industrial Age, the technology used is based on springs, clockwork and similar. Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and Speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s Clockpunk is based very intensively on the works of Leonardo da Vinci and as such, it is typically set during the Renaissance. A number of cyberpunk derivatives have become recognized as distinct subgenres in Speculative fiction. Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci ( April 15 1452 – May 2 1519 was an Italian Polymath, having been a scientist Mathematician, Engineer The Renaissance (from French Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" Italian: Rinascimento, from re- "again" and nascere It is regarded as being a type of Steampunk. Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and Speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s
  • Biopunk: A story that is about genetics and biological research (often falling under the horror category). Biopunk (a Portmanteau word combining " Biotech " and " punk " is a term used to describe A Hobbyist who experiments It's about some harmful effects characters have created when they change an animal's code to (unintentionally) create violent monster.
• Fantasy: A story about magic and supernatural forces, rather than technology, though it often is made to include elements of other genres, such as science fiction elements, for instance computers or DNA, if it happens to take place in a modern or future era. Fantasy is a Genre that uses magic and other Supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting MagiC OS an alternative implementation of the Multitasking TOS / GEM OS for Atari ST line of computers The term supernatural or supranatural ( Latin: super, supra "above" + natura "nature" pertains to entities events Deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) is a Nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known Depending on the extent of these other elements, the story may or may not be considered to be a "hybrid genre" series; for instance, even though the Harry Potter series canon includes the requirement of a particular gene to be a wizard, it is referred to only as a fantasy series. Harry Potter is a series of seven Fantasy novels written by British author J This article is not about Literary canons of influential works of fiction but about the concept of a canon which defines the world of a particular fictional series History See also History of genetics The existence of genes was first suggested by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884 who in the 1860s studied inheritance
  • Science Fantasy: A story with mystical elements that are scientifically explainable, or which combines science fiction elements with fantasy elements. Science fantasy is a mixed Genre of story which contains some Science fiction and some Fantasy elements It should be noted that science fiction was once actually referred to under this name, but that it is no longer used to denote that genre, and has somewhat fallen out of favor as a genre descriptor.
  • High Fantasy: A story that takes place in a completely different world or universe, having different races, traditions and even religions. High fantasy, or epic fantasy, is a subgenre of Fantasy fiction that is set in invented or parallel worlds. Often, there aren't any real world events that tie into the story. The best known example of high fantasy is probably The Lord of the Rings. High fantasy, or epic fantasy, is a subgenre of Fantasy fiction that is set in invented or parallel worlds. The Lord of the Rings is an epic
  • Wuxia: A distinct quasi-fantasy sub-genre of the martial arts genre. Wuxia or Wǔxiá ( Mandarin ùɕiɑ̌ Hanyu Pinyin: Wǔxiá, Cantonese Pinyin: mou5 hap6 Taiwanese/Hokkien bu hiap
• Romance: A story about character's relationships, or engagements. As a Literary genre of High culture, romance or chivalric romance refers to a style of heroic Prose and verse Narrative It's a story about character development, rather than adventures.
• Crime Fiction: A story about a crime that is being committed or was committed. Crime fiction is the Genre of Fiction that deals with Crimes their detection criminals and their motives It is usually distinguished from It can also be an account of a criminal's life. It often falls into the Action or Adventure genres.
  • Mystery: A story about a detective or person who has to solve a crime that was committed. They must figure out who committed the crime and why. Sometimes, the detective must figure out 'how' the criminal committed the crime if it seems impossible.
    • Murder Mystery: A mystery story which focuses on one type of criminal case: homicide. List of countries by homicide rate Homicide ( Latin homicidium, homo human being + caedere to cut kill refers to the act of killing another Usually, there are one or more murder victims, and the detective must figure out who killed them, the same way he or she solves other crimes. They may or may not find themselves or loved ones in danger because of this investigation; the genre often includes elements of a the suspense story genre, or of the action and adventure genres. History The first government bus services available to the general public appeared in 1926 running from Eastlake to Ainslie. An adventure is an activity that comprises Risky dangerous and uncertain experiences
• Comedy: A story that tells about a series of funny or comical events, intended to make the audience laugh. Comedy (from the Greek κωμωδίαkomodia has a popular meaning (any discourse generally intended to amuse especially in Television, Film, and It a is very open genre, and thus crosses over with many other genres on a frequent basis.
  • Comedy of manners: A film satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class, often represented by stock characters. The comedy of manners satirizes the manners and affectations of a Social class, often represented by Stock characters, such as the Miles gloriosus Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions (or stratification) between individuals or groups in Societies or Cultures. A stock character is one which relies heavily on cultural types or names for his or her personality manner of speech and other characteristics The plot of the comedy is often concerned with an illicit love affair or some other scandal, but is generally less important than its witty dialogue. A scandal is a widely Publicized incident that involves Allegations of wrongdoing, disgrace or moral outrage The Witty worm is a Computer worm that attacks the firewall and other Computer security products written by a particular company Internet Security A dialogue (sometimes spelled dialog) is a reciprocal Conversation between two or more entities. This form of comedy has a long ancestry, dating back at least as far as Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing. William Shakespeare ( baptised Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare. First published in 1600 it is likely to have been first performed in the autumn or winter
  • Parody: A story that mocks or satirizes other genres, people, fictional characters or works. A parody (ˈpɛɹədiː US, [ˈpaɹədiː] UK) in contemporary usage is a work created to mock comment on or poke fun at an original work its subject Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human Such works employ sarcasm, stereotyping, mockery of scenes, symbols or lines from other works, and the obviousness of meaning in a character's actions. Sarcasm is stating the opposite of an intended meaning especially in order to sneeringly slyly jest or mock a person situation or thing A stereotype (from Greek: stereo + týpos = "solid impression" is a generalized perception of first impressions behaviors presumed by a group Such stories may be "affectionate parodies" which merely mean to entertain those familiar with the source of the parody. . . or they may well be intended to undercut the respectability of the original inspiration for the parody by pointing out its flaws (the latter being closer to satire). Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human
  • Black comedy: A parody or satirical story that is based around normally taboo subjects, including death, murder, suicide, illicit drugs and war. Black comedy, also known as black humor or dark comedy, is a sub-genre of Comedy and Satire where topics and events that are usually regarded A taboo is a strong Social prohibition (or ban) against words objects actions or discussions that are considered undesirable or offensive by a group culture Death is the termination of the biological functions that define living Organisms It refers both to a specific Murder is the unlawful killing of another human person with Malice aforethought, as defined in Common Law countries The illegal drug trade or drug trafficking is a global Black market consisting of the cultivation manufacture distribution and sale of illegal Drugs War is an international relations Dispute, characterized by organized Violence between National Military units So-called "Dead Baby Comedy" sometimes falls under this genre.
  • Romantic comedy: A subgenre which combines the romance genre with comedy, focusing on two or more individuals as they discover and attempt to deal with their romantic attractions to each other. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE-ROMEOS*************** The stereotypical plot line follows the "boy-gets-girl", "boy-loses-girl", "boy gets girl back again" sequence. A stereotype (from Greek: stereo + týpos = "solid impression" is a generalized perception of first impressions behaviors presumed by a group Naturally there are innumerable variants to this plot (as well as new twists, such as reversing the gender roles in the story), and much of the generally light-hearted comedy lies in the social interactions and sexual tension between the characters, who very often either refuse to admit they are attracted to one another, or must deal with others' meddling in their affairs. A gender role is defined as a set of perceived behavioural norms associated particularly with Males or Females in a given social group or system Sexual tension is the occurrence between two people (which is often found in works of Fiction) where two or more of the individuals sexually long for one another but the consummation
  • Comedic Science Fiction: A comedy that uses science fiction elements or settings, often as a light-hearted (or occasionally vicious) parody of the latter genre.
• Documentary: A story that re-tells events rather than create them. Documentary film is a broad category of visual expression that is based on the attempt in one fashion or another to " Document " reality Usually, it is about true historic events.
  • Mockumentary: A story that isn't about true historical events; rather, it uses the documentary "style" to cover fictional, and generally humorous, events or characters. Mockumentary (also known as a pseudo-documentary) a Portmanteau of Mock and documentary, is a film and TV Genre, or a single work Very common in film and television, both as a full film or series, or as a brief sequence or episode within a larger work. Examples include Best In Show and The Office. The Office is the title of multiple television Situation comedy shows
• Horror: A story that is told to deliberately scare or frighten the audience, through suspense, violence or shock. Horror fiction is broadly Fiction in any medium intended to scare unsettle or horrify the audience
  • Monster: A story about a monster, creature or mutant that terrorizes people. A monster is any of a large number of Legendary creatures which usually appear in Mythology, Legend, or Horror fiction. Usually, it fits into the horror genre, for instance, Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. Mary Shelley ( Née Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin; 30 August Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, generally known as Frankenstein, is a Novel written by the British author Mary Shelley
  • Giant Monster: A story about a giant monster, similar to the monster genre. However, giant monster stories are generally about a monster big enough to destroy buildings. Some such stories are about two giant monsters fighting each other, a genre known as kaiju in Japan, which is famous for such works after the success of such films and franchises as Godzilla. is a Japanese word that means "strange beast" but often translated in English as " Monster. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Etymology Name "Godzilla" is a combination of two Japanese words and.
  • Slasher: A story (generally in film) that usually has an antagonist, who is a serial killer or simply insane. The slasher film (sometimes referred to as bodycount films and dead teenager movies) is a Sub-genre An antagonist (from Greek ανταγωνιστής - antagonistes, "opponent competitor rival" is a character or A serial killer is a person who Murders usually three or more people with a "cooling off" period between each murder and whose motivation for killing is largely based Psychosis (from the Greek ψυχή "psyche" for mind or soul and -οσις "-osis" for abnormal condition with adjective psychotic The "slasher" stereotypically kills his victims in the movie by slowly creeping up to them, and then quickly killing them with a sharp object, such as a Chef's knife. In cooking a chef's knife, also known as a French knife, is a cutting tool used in Food preparation. The genre lead to the creation of the Final girl theory. The final girl is a Horror film (particularly Slasher film) trope that specifically refers to the last woman or girl alive to confront the killer ostensibly
  • Survival Horror: A horror story about a protagonist who is put in a risky and life threatening situation that he or she must endure, often as a result of things such as zombies or other monsters, and the rest of the plot is how the hero or heroes overcome this. Survival horror is a video game genre inspired by fictional Horror films in which the player's primary objective is to survive and/or escape a threat typical of horror zombie is a reanimated human corpse Stories of zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou, which told of the people being controlled
• Thriller: A story that is usually a mix of fear and excitement. The thriller is a broad Genre of Literature, Film, Gaming and Television. It has traits from the suspense genre and often from the action, adventure or mystery genres, but the level of terror makes it borderline horror fiction at times as well. Suspense is the Feeling of uncertainty and Anxiety about the outcome of certain actions most often referring to an audience's perceptions in a dramatic work History The first government bus services available to the general public appeared in 1926 running from Eastlake to Ainslie. An adventure is an activity that comprises Risky dangerous and uncertain experiences Horror fiction is broadly Fiction in any medium intended to scare unsettle or horrify the audience It generally has a dark or serious theme, which also makes it similar to drama.
  • Disaster-Thriller: A thriller story about mass peril, where the protagonist's job is to both survive, and to save many other people from a grim fate, often a natural disaster such as a storm or volcanic eruption, but which may also be a terrorist attack or epidemic of some sort. A natural disaster is the consequence of a Natural hazard (eg Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion In Epidemiology, an epidemic (from Greek epi- upon + demos people is a classification of a disease that appears as new cases in a
  • Psychological-Thriller: A thriller that is less about the action, and more about the mental condition of the hero. The hero usually has what seem to be mental problems that get in the way of his objective - which may or may not be real mental instability. Some Psychological Thrillers are also about complicated stories that try to deliberately confuse the audience, often by showing them only the same confusing or seemingly nonsensical information that the hero gains.
  • Crime-Thriller: A thriller story that revolves around the life of detectives, mobs, or other groups associated with criminal events in the story.
  • Techno-Thriller: A thriller story whose theme is usually technology, or the danger behind the technology people use, including the threat of cyber terrorism.
• Jidaigeki: A story of a "period drama," and the period is usually the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. is a Genre of Film, Television, and Theatre in Japan. The name means "period drama" and the period is usually the Edo period For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.
• Western: A story that usually takes place in the Wild West. The Western is a fiction Genre seen in Film, Television, Radio, Literature, Painting and other Visual arts. The Wild West is the ninth studio album and tenth album overall by rapper Celly Cel.

Genres unique to movies:

Main article: Film genre

• Animation: A genre descriptor that refers to the medium; animation is the use of computer renderings or drawings (or occasionally photos of representational objects, known as stop-motion animation or claymation) shown in a sequence in order to depict an action or event rather than using the filming of live actors. In Film theory, genre refers to the primary method of film categorization based on similarities in the narrative elements from which films are constructed The bouncing ball animation (below consists of these 6 frames Stop motion (or frame-by-frame) animation is an Animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own Clay animation is one of many forms of Stop motion animation Each animated piece either character or background is "deformable"&mdashmade of a malleable substance An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works
  • Traditional Animation: Also known as "cel animation", this is one of the oldest animation subgenres. Traditional animation, also referred to as classical animation, cel animation, or hand-drawn animation, is the oldest and historically the most popular Basically, it is a way of animating a cartoon by drawing and painting pictures by hand. The word cartoon has various meanings based on several very different forms of Visual art and Illustration. Each drawing or painting is a different frame of animation, and when they are flipped or put in sequence at the right speed, they give the illusion of movement.
  • Stop Motion: A genre similar to Traditional Animation, however, instead of using hand drawn pictures, stop motion films are made with small figurines or other objects that have their picture taken many times in order to provide the animation frames. Stop motion (or frame-by-frame) animation is an Animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own
  • Computer Generated Images (CGI): A genre of animation that that includes animating a cartoon on a computer modeling program. Computer animation Computer-generated imagery (also known as CGI) is the application of the field of Computer graphics or more specifically 3D computer graphics Models of characters or props are created on the computer, and then programmed to do something specific. Then, when the animation is completely programed, the computer can play a completely computer generated movie. CGI is often used for the visual effects in Live Action films as well.
  • Puppetry: Although it is technically Live Action, puppetry is a different way of "animating" a movie and puppets are often used in lieu of live actors. Puppetry is a form of Theatre or Performance which involves the Manipulation of Puppets. Usually, there are small figurines or figures (similar to stop motion), but these are controlled and filmed in real time. Like CGI, puppetry can be found in Live Action films as a method of achieving a special effect.
• Live Action: The opposite of animation, live action uses the filming or videotaping of live actors instead of representational animation. Essentially, it is filming using real people, props and sets. Many a live action production does feature animation to achieve certain special effects work, but the film still falls under live action so long as at least some characters are played by real people whose physical performance is captured on film or video. The illusions used in the Film, Television, Theater, or Entertainment industries to simulate the imagined events in a story are traditionally called

Genres unique to television:

• Serial: A television show which is one continuous story. Serials in Television and Radio are series often in a weekly Prime time slot that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a serial fashion Each episode picks up from where the last one left off. The story may shift with a new season.
• Game Show: A television show depicting a real contest, typically a trivia competition or physical challenge, with rewards in prizes or money. Trivia (singular trivium) are unimportant (or "trivial" items especially of information The players may include celebrities.
• Reality Show: A television show, purportedly unscripted, featuring non-actors filmed interacting with each other or dealing with invented or contrived challenges, such as surviving on a "deserted" island by finding their own food and shelter, or competing against others for the affections of a certain person. Reality television is a genre of Television programming which presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations documents actual events and usually features ordinary Filmed in a similar fashion as the documentary film genre, but with more emphasis on the showing of interpersonal conflict, emotional reactions, or unusual occurrences.
• Sitcom: Short for Situational Comedy, a generally light-hearted genre which features characters having to deal with odd or uncomfortable situations or misunderstandings.

Genres unique to video games:

Main article: Video game genres

• Shooter: A game where the main purpose is to fight using, and/or shoot guns. See also [[Game classification]] Video games are categorized into Genres based on their Gameplay interaction Shooter games are a subgenre of Action game. Because "shooters make up the majority of action games" Shooting gallery Often interchangeable with
  • First Person Shooter: A variant of the shooting game. A first-person shooter ( FPS) is an action Video game from the Shooter game The initial development of Maze War In the game, the camera is actually in place of the character's eyes, so that you are playing the game from his or her point of view.
  • Third Person Shooter: A shooting game where the camera angle is actually hovering over the playable character as you play. Third-person shooter ( TPS) is a genre of 3D computer and video games in which the Player character is seen at a distance from a number
• Strategy: A game where the purpose is to strategize. A Strategy is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal, most often "winning You have an opponent with the same abilities as you, more or less, and to beat him, you must use your abilities in a much more tactical way.
  • Real Time Strategy (RTS): A strategy game where everybody plays at the same time, and races to think of a better strategy than the other players. A real-time strategy ( RTS) Video game is a strategic game that is distinctly not turn-based. Most of these video games are about military.
    • Massive Multiplayer Online Real Time Strategy (MMORTS): A Real Time Strategy game that is played online. Many players can sign on a play at the same time, creating empires and battling each other.
  • Turn Based Strategy: A strategy game where everybody takes turns. A turn-based strategy ( TBS) game is a Strategy game (usually some type of wargame, especially a strategic-level wargame that is Once everybody has placed their units and military characters in the right spot they can't move again until the next turn begins.
• Musical: A game where music is usually played. To win, the players must match the rhythm of the music by pushing the right button combination until their opponents are unable to keep up with them. Not to be confused with the stage musical or musical film, which are stories that feature characters singing about the events in the plot. Musical theatre is a form of Theatre combining Music, Songs spoken Dialogue and Dance. The musical film is a Film genre in which several Songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative
• Simulation: A game where you must manage and develop fictitious business. Simulation is the imitation of some real thing state of affairs or process For example, in a game you might be asked the manage and build a zoo, and the game simulates this for you in as accurate a way as possible.
• Puzzle: A game were you must solve puzzles in order to progress through the levels. A puzzle is a Problem or Enigma that challenges Ingenuity. In a basic puzzle one is intended to piece together objects in a logical way in order to
• Platform: Usually, it is a game where the playable character must go around and collect key items that prove useful in game play. Platform game, or platformer, is a video game genre characterized by jumping to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles To collect these items, the character usually has to help non playable characters with basic tasks.
• Fighting: A game where two or more playable characters fight. The ComBat was an Aluminium Cricket bat and the subject of an incident that occurred at the WACA cricket ground in Perth in December 1979. Each character usually has their own unique moves, and the goal of the game, usually, is to be the last man standing.
• Side Scroller: A really basic type of game. Each playable character can only move in four directions. Up, down, left and right. They can't move forwards and backwards.
• Role Playing Game {RPG}: A game that isn't (necessarily) about combat. A role-playing game ( RPG; often roleplaying game) is a Game in which the participants assume the roles of Fictional characters. It is a game where the player plays a character, and goes around pretending to be a real person in a fictitious world. This is also similar to non-video game forms of gaming that involve roleplaying, including play by post gaming and tabletop roleplaying games. A play-by-post game (PbP is an Online text-based role-playing game. A role-playing game ( RPG; often roleplaying game) is a Game in which the participants assume the roles of Fictional characters.
  • Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG): A game similar to a regular Role Playing Game, but it is a multiplayer game played via the internet. A massively multiplayer online role-playing game ( MMORPG) is a genre of Computer role-playing games (CRPGs in which a large number of players interact with The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks During this game, thousands of players can play the same game at the same time. Players sign on and play and have competitions with other players while the game is commencing.

Genres unique to music:

Main article: Music genre

• Classical: Music that was composed in the 18th and 19th centuries by popular artist, like Beethoven. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music Some (though not all) categorize modern original music that is done in the styles of that time "classical" as well.
• Folk: Musical adaptations of old stories that were passed from generation to generation. See also Folk (disambiguation, Volk (disambiguation Folk is one of the Germanic roots that mean "(of the people" or "our Considered somewhat more niche now.
• Rock: Music that originated from Folk and Blues. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. It used newer electrical instruments instead of relying solely on the classical woodwinds and stringed instruments. It first became popular in the mid 20th century because of famous bands like The Beatles. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960
  • Heavy Metal: Similar to Rock, and generally considered a subgenre of it. It usually uses the same electrical instruments, but the music is more intense and less "pop" in style (see below).
• Pop: "Pop music" once referred to any popular music during the time period, though the term has slowly gained use as a more specific (yet still somewhat vague) genre descriptor for music with a catchy, relatively consistent melody, among other aspects. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure It is commonly placed as having started in the mid 20th century, alongside Rock music. Much dance music falls under this genre, and much modern Rock music is considered to include elements of it as well, since bands such as the Beatles were a significant stylistic influence on what is now considered Pop. This article is about music for dancing in general You may also be looking for Electronic dance music.
• Rhythm & Blues (R&B) - an evolving range of genres that first began to develop in the early 20th century.
  • Blues: A somewhat somber, quieter style of music whose name refers to the unhappiness of the performer, and which gained popularity in the early 20th century alongside Jazz, and influenced the early development of Rock music. The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States A major genre within R&B, and one of its earliest genres as well.
  • Rap music and Hip Hop - more rhythmically-based, mostly urban-derived genres, with a wide array of subgenres between them. Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. Rhythm (from Greek ῥυθμός - rhythmos, "any measured flow or movement symmetry" is the variation of the length and accentuation of
  • Jazz - an experimental, often brass-heavy and frequently somewhat less-structured genre of music that first evolved in the early 20th century, most prominently followed during the Roaring Twenties but still in existence today. Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s principally in North America, that emphasizes the period's social artistic and cultural dynamism
• House/Techno: Like Wiley and Dizzee Rascal

References

Charaudeau, P. House music is a style of Electronic dance music initially popularized in mid-1980s Discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino Techno is a form of Electronic dance music (EDM that emerged in Detroit, Michigan, USA during the mid to late 1980s Richard Kylea Cowie (born 19 January, 1979) better known by his stage name Wiley is a British Grime producer and Dylan Mills (born 1985 in Bow, East London) known professionally as Dizzee Rascal, is a British Rapper, Record producer and ; Maingueneau, D. & Adam, J. Dictionnaire d'analyse du discours Seuil, 2002 Fairclough, Norman. Analysing Discourse: Textual Analysis for Social Research Routledge, 2003 <reflist>

External links

• Helping Children Understand Literary Genres
• Genres of film at the Internet Movie Database
• An Introduction to Genre Theory by Daniel Chandler

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