What is ‘genre’?

By Sharon M. KimbleWriting

(Revised and rewritten 2025-10-15)

Hello! Today we’re going to dive into the world of genres. Now, I know it might sound like a bit of a snooze-fest, but trust me, once you get your head around this topic, it can be really fascinating. Plus, understanding what genre is will help you become a better reader and writer, whether that’s for fun or as part of your job.

So, let’s start with the basics: What do we mean when we talk about “genre”? Well, in its simplest form, genre refers to the category or classification of a piece of literature based on specific styles, themes, and subjects. It’s like sorting books into different shelves at your local library – it helps us find what we’re looking for more easily.

Now, you might be thinking, “But isn’t all writing just…writing?” And while that’s true in the most basic sense, genre is a way to help make sense of the vast array of stories and ideas out there. Just think about it: Would you want to read a romance novel right after finishing an intense thriller? Probably not – at least not without taking a little break first!

“A genre is not a straitjacket, but rather a starting point for exploration and creativity.” – Terry Pratchett

Genres can be broadly categorised into two main groups: Fiction and Non-fiction. Within these categories, we have even more subcategories that help us get really specific about what kind of story or information we’re dealing with.

“Genre is the clothing that a story wears to be invited into someone’s house.” – Ray Bradbury

Let’s start with fiction. This is where the majority of our beloved stories come from – think Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Pride and Prejudice. In fiction, you can find a whole host of subgenres such as:

  1. Fantasy: Dragons, magic, otherworldly creatures – if it feels like it’s straight out of a dream or an alternate reality, it probably falls under fantasy.
  2. Science fiction (Sci-Fi): These stories often involve futuristic settings and technologies that don’t exist yet in our world today. Think spaceships, time travel, and advanced AI.
  3. Historical fiction: As the name suggests, these are fictional stories set against a real historical backdrop.
  4. Mystery/Thriller/Suspense: These genres all share an element of suspense or uncertainty, often involving crime-solving, espionage, or other thrilling situations.
  5. Romance: Love is the central theme here – from sweet and innocent to steamy and scandalous, romance novels cover a wide range of relationships and emotions.
  6. Young Adult (YA): This category targets readers who are in their teen years, often dealing with themes that resonate with this age group such as coming-of-age stories or first loves.
  7. Children’s literature: These are the books we read when we were kids – think Winnie the Pooh and The Cat in the Hat.
  8. Horror: If you love being scared, then horror is your genre! From ghostly apparitions to bloodthirsty monsters, these stories will keep you up at night.
  9. Westerns: Set mostly in the American Old West, these tales often involve cowboys, outlaws, and high-noon showdowns.
  10. Comedy/Satire: Laughter is the best medicine, right? These genres use humour to entertain and sometimes even make social commentary.

Now let’s move on to non-fiction. This category includes everything from textbooks to memoirs, biographies to self-help books. Some common subgenres of non-fiction are:

  1. Biography/Autobiography: These narratives tell the story of a real person’s life – either written by someone else or by the individual themselves.
  2. History: This genre is all about delving into past events, cultures, and civilisations to understand how we got to where we are today.
  3. Self-Help/Personal Development: These books aim to provide guidance on various aspects of life such as relationships, career, or personal growth.
  4. Science/Technology: If you’re fascinated by the natural world or the latest gadgets and inventions, then this is your genre!
  5. Travel: Whether it’s a guidebook to help you plan your next vacation or an account of someone’s journey around the globe, travel literature takes us to new places without leaving our armchairs.
  6. Philosophy/Religion: These works explore deep questions about existence, morality, and spirituality.
  7. Politics/Current Affairs: If you want to stay informed on global events or understand different political ideologies, this is the genre for you.
  8. Psychology/Sociology: These disciplines study human behaviour and society, offering insights into why we do what we do.
  9. Business/Economics: From entrepreneurship to financial markets, these genres provide practical advice or explain complex economic systems.
  10. Cookbooks/Food Writing: For the foodies out there, this genre is a must! It includes everything from recipes and culinary techniques to cultural explorations of different cuisines.

So now you know what genre is and how it helps us organise all those books on your shelf or in that digital library app on your phone. But remember, while genres are useful tools for understanding literature, they’re not set in stone. Many works defy easy categorisation, blending elements from different categories to create something entirely new.

And that’s the beauty of reading – it allows us to explore so many worlds and ideas without ever leaving our favourite reading spot! So go ahead, dive into a genre you haven’t tried before or revisit an old friend. The world of literature is vast and full of surprises waiting for you to discover them.

Guidelines on genre:

A genre is a category or classification of literature, music, art, or other forms of creative expression. It helps readers identify and understand the content they are about to engage with by grouping similar works together based on shared themes, styles, subjects, or narrative structures. Here are some key guidelines for understanding genres:

  1. Familiarise yourself with common literary genres: Some popular examples include fiction (such as romance, mystery, science fiction), non-fiction (like history, biography, self-help), and poetry (including lyrical, narrative, dramatic).
  2. Look for recurring themes or subjects: Genres often revolve around specific topics or ideas that are consistently explored within the works of a particular category. For instance, romance novels typically focus on love stories with happy endings, while historical fiction delves into past events and their impact on characters’ lives.
  3. Analyse narrative structure and style: The way a story is told can also help identify its genre. Mysteries often involve complex plots with twists and turns leading to the ultimate revelation of the culprit, whereas memoirs are personal narratives recounting real-life experiences.
  4. Consider tone and voice: A work’s overall mood or attitude towards its subject matter can also be indicative of genre. For example, a humorous and lighthearted tone might suggest a comedy or satire, while a more serious and reflective tone could point to drama or literary fiction.
  5. Examine the intended audience: Some genres are aimed at specific age groups or demographics. Young adult literature, for instance, is geared towards teenagers and often explores themes relevant to their lives, such as self-discovery and coming of age.
  6. Be aware that some works may defy easy categorisation: Many texts blend elements from different genres, creating unique combinations that challenge traditional classifications. This can lead to the emergence of new subgenres or the redefinition of existing ones.
  7. Remember that genre is a tool for understanding literature rather than an absolute rule: While genres are useful in organising and interpreting texts, they should not limit your reading experience nor prevent you from exploring works outside your usual preferences.

5 common mistakes to avoid when identifying the genre of a text:

  1. Rigid categorisation: Avoid pigeonholing texts into strict genres without considering their unique blends or sub-versions of traditional elements.
  2. Overlooking contextual factors: Be aware that some works may defy easy classification due to cultural, historical, or social influences.
  3. Ignoring evolving genre definitions: Recognise that genres are constantly changing and expanding as new texts challenge existing boundaries.
  4. Failing to consider authorial intent: While it’s essential to analyse the text itself, also take into account the author’s intentions and how they may have influenced the work’s genre.
  5. Focusing solely on plot or theme: Genre is not exclusively determined by these elements; other factors such as tone, style, characterisation, and setting can also play significant roles in classification.

5 key takeaways on understanding genre:

  1. Flexibility and evolution: Genres are not rigid categories; they evolve over time as new works challenge existing boundaries and blend elements from different genres.
  2. Contextual awareness: Be mindful of cultural, historical, or social influences that may impact the classification of a text, and recognise that some works defy easy categorisation.
  3. Multifaceted approach: Consider various factors such as plot, theme, tone, style, characterisation, and setting when identifying a genre.
  4. Authorial intent: Take into account an author’s intentions and how they may have influenced the work’s genre.
  5. Genre versatility: Recognise that authors can blur the lines between genres or write within multiple genres simultaneously, and understand how genre expectations influence different types of writing like self-help books or literary fiction.

“I don’t believe in genres, I believe in good stories and bad ones.” – Neil Gaiman

I hope this little journey through genres was as fun for you to read as it was for me to write! Until next time, happy reading!..