Explore Genres

A narrative, account, or anecdote about a specific individual.

An address, publication proposal, or promotional material for members of the general public.

Works in this category include household management, cookery, midwifery, etiquette etc.

Scripts intended to be acted or read aloud, often accompanied by costumes when performed on stage.

Includes grammatical texts, dictionaries, conduct manuals, addresses, essays, instructions, strictures, or letters addressed to youth and educators.

Prose compositions, remarks, critical reflections, or guides on any particular subject.

A general narrative that pertains to imaginary events. Works in the subcategory of fiction are often derived from the genre designation on the title page, i.e. includes texts that are not novels, romances, stories, or tales.

A narrative that pertains to imaginary events. Works in this subcategory have “novel” listed as the genre designation on the title page.

A narrative that pertains to romantic imaginary events. Works in this subcategory have “romance” listed as  the genre designation on the title page.

A narrative that pertains to imaginary events. Works in this subcategory have “story” listed as the genre designation on the title page. Often shorter than a novel and longer than a tale.

A narrative that pertains to imaginary events. Works in this subcategory have “tale” listed as the genre designation on the title page.

A composition, memoir, or anecdote, or record of a place, event, or individual. Works in this category are often derived from the genre designation on the title page.

A collection, history, companion, manual, journal, print, story, allegory, fable, anecdote, introduction, or chapbook concerned with the narration of events pertaining to, or addressed to, children or youth.

A trial, appeal, accusation, defence, execution, last speech, or confession relating to the law. 

Epistolary communication addressed to a person or group of people.

Record, memory, experience, account, apology, or history about one’s own life or another’s. Works in this category are often derived from the genre designation on the title page.

Gathered poems, letters, maxims, aphorisms, journals, literary exercises, travels, sketches, or prose in one volume. Works in this category are often derived from the genre designation on the title page.

Songs, symphonies, psalms, choruses, or lessons related to music and written by a composer.

Composition, elegy, epistle, or canto in verse.

A number of poems gathered together. Works in this category are often derived from the genre designation on the title page.

Composition, elegy, epistle, or canto in verse, often emotional and recited. Works in this category are often derived from the genre designation on the title page.

Lengthy composition, elegy, epistle, or canto in verse pertaining to a heroic journey, event, or individual. Works in this category are often derived from the genre designation on the title page.

Elegy, ballad, or elegiac sonnet in verse.