35 Genres and Other Varieties of Fiction

35 Genres and Other Varieties of Fiction 35 Genres and Other Varieties of Fiction 35 Genres and Other Varieties of Fiction By Mark Nichol A previous post detailed synonyms for story. This entry defines words identifying various genres categories of story types and similar terms: 1. Adventure fiction: stories in which characters are involved in dangerous and/or exhilarating exploits 2. Airport novel: a work of fiction, generally genre fiction, so named because of its availability at stores in international airports in order to provide airline passengers with a light diversion during a flight 3. Allegory: a story using symbolism to express truths about the human condition 4. Bildungsroman: a story detailing the emotional and moral growth of a character 5. Black comedy: a story in which the humor derives from the misfortunes and/or reproachable behavior of characters 6. Comedy: a story with elements and situations intended to amuse 7. Comedy-drama: a story with both humorous and serious elements 8. Comedy of errors (farce): a story involving energetic action revolving around humorous predicaments and coincidences 9. Comedy of manners: a story that mocks class pretensions and/or prejudices 10. Crime fiction: stories based on the commission and/or investigation of wrongdoing 11. Detective fiction: stories in which the protagonist investigates a crime 12. Epic: originally a long poem celebrating the exploits of a factual or fictitious hero, but now applied to prose works on the same theme as well 13. Epistolary fiction: stories constructed as a series of letters exchanged between characters 14. Fantasy fiction: stories involving imaginary beings in the real world or in an alternate reality and assuming suspension of disbelief about magic and/or supernatural powers 15. Fictional autobiography: a story purporting to be a first-person account of someone’s life 16. Fictional biography: a story structured to resemble a factual life story 17. Genre fiction: stories intended to appeal to readers because of adherence to a specific formula (such as adventure fiction or detective fiction), rather than on their literary merits 18. Gothic fiction: stories often taking place in an isolated setting and involving strange and/or perilous happenings 19. Horror fiction: stories incorporating supernatural and/or inexplicable elements and intended to arouse fear and dread 20. Melodrama: a story that emphasizes action over characterization and features exaggeratedly dramatic plot elements 21. Mystery fiction: stories that detail the solution of a crime or other wrongdoing 22. Pastiche: a story that imitates one or more established works, or consists of episodes of such works 23. Picaresque: an episodically structured story featuring a rogue or an antihero as the protagonist 24. Parody: a story mocking the pretensions or weaknesses of a particular author, style, or genre 25. Romance: a love story; also a tale taking place in a distant time and place and involving adventure with often supernatural or mysterious elements 26. Romantic comedy: a lighthearted story detailing a romance and its complications 27. Romp: a boisterously comical tale 28. Satire: a story that pokes fun at human shortcomings such as arrogance, greed, and vanity 29. Science fiction: stories focusing on how science and technology affect individuals and civilizations 30. Screwball comedy: a fast-paced story involving improbable situations and antics from which the humor derives 31. Swashbuckler: an adventure story in which the hero accomplishes great feats to aid a noble cause 32. Thriller: a dramatic story punctuated with action, adventure, and suspense 33. Tragedy: a story with a catastrophic and/or unfortunate outcome 34. Tragicomedy: a story with both humorous and heartbreaking aspects 35. Travelogue: a story with a plot centering on a significant amount of travel Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:12 Signs and Symbols You Should KnowThe Possessive Apostrophe20 Ways to Laugh