When you’re studying the English language, you come across different text types and genres. The skill to figure out which genre you’re reading is an important one. It can help you analyze texts critically and understand them more.
This begs the question, what is the genre of the text and how does it differ from text type? Keep reading to find out.
What Is the Genre of the Text?
Genre is defined as a specific style or category of literature. Different genres of text are used to communicate different ideas, whether the ideas are fictional or based on true events.
Genres are classified based on the text type, and although some fiction genres may overlap with non-fiction, the majority of genres are unique to each text type.
Are Text Genres and Types the Same Thing?
You might hear the words “text genre” and “text type” thrown around like they’re synonyms, but they’re actually not.
Text type is the broader separation between “Fiction” and “Non-fiction.” Fiction is a narrative that is not rooted in fact; i.e. is made up by the author of the text.
Non-fiction, on the other hand, is factual and has ties to the real world.
As for text genre, we’ll go into detail about its categories below.
Types of Genres of Fiction Text
Fiction can be categorized into:
1. Folk Literature
Which are traditional fictional accounts that can be subdivided into:
- Fairy tales. Example: The Elves and The Shoemaker
- Example: The Emperor’s New Clothes
- Tall tales. Example: Johnny Appleseed
- Myths and legends. Example: The Birth of Horus
2. Fantasy
It involves non-human sentient beings, and can borrow some elements from fairy tales, but usually in a contemporary context. Example: Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
3. Mystery
A search for a missing element that is either disclosed by the author at the end of the text or left to the reader to figure out. Death on the Nile, by Agatha Christie
4. Science Fiction
Similar to fantasy in the presence of non-human sentient life, but has futuristic elements that can be rooted in scientific principles. Example: Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
5. Realistic Fiction
Fiction that has multiple nonfictional elements embedded into it and can happen in real life. Doesn’t include non-human characters in speaking roles. Example: Billy Summers, by Stephen King
6. Historical Fiction
Fiction that is based on historical events that actually happened, while adding elements from the author’s imagination that weren’t reported during the actual events. Example: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
7. Poetry
Subdivided into:
- Free verse. Example: After the Sea-Ship by Walt Whitman
- Structured poems, like sonnets, haikus, and villanelles
Types of Genres of Non-Fiction Text
Non-fiction can be categorized into:
1. Essay
A text that explains, explores, or argues ideas on a single topic.
2. Procedural Text
Expository text that shows you how to do certain things. Example: recipes, blueprints, and instruction manuals.
3. Reports of Information
A text that contains facts and can be narrative or expository.
4. Mystery
A true narrative text with actual events and real people that contains a puzzle to be solved. Example: In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote
5. Editorial
Found in newspapers and magazines, it’s usually the writer’s opinion on a certain topic with the intent of persuasion. Example: Why New York Needs a Covid Memorial?
6. News Article
A text that provides current information and presents facts without opinions. It’s centered around who, what, where, when, why, and how. Example: Ukraine war imperils wheat, farmers in no rush to pivot
7. Brochure/Leaflet
Presented in the form of a folded paper sheet, it’s an expository text that advertises a product, attraction, or event.
8. Diary
A narrative text from a first-person’s perspective that mentions specific dates. Example: The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank
9. Memoirs
A narrative text that focuses on a single or multiple periods of the author’s life. Example: Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
10. Biography/Autobiography
A narrative text that tells the life story of a certain person. If it’s written by that person it’s an autobiography. Example: Becoming, by Michelle Obama. And if it’s written by another person it’s a biography. Example: Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson
The Takeaway
The term ‘text genre’ is used to indicate the specific category or style of literature. Each genre is used to communicate different ideas and concepts; some fictional and others are based on true events.
