Literary Genres: Poetry, Narrative, Theater, Journalism

Lyrical Poetry

Anthem

A composition expressing heightened feelings.

Ode

Similar to a national anthem but more personal.

Song

A composition of an amorous, vibrant, enthusiastic, and optimistic nature.

Satire

Censorship of faults or defects in a humorous and short manner.

Elegy

Expresses the pain produced by a death or other misfortune.

Popular Lyrical Poetry

• Song
• Joy (about a saint or holy person)
• Christmas Carol (Villancico)
• Corrandes (songs that accompany work)

Narrative

In Verse

• Epic: Heroic protagonists of noble lineage, told by the people.
• Songs of Feat: Of medieval origin, featuring popular characters.
• Heroic Poems: Short poems written by an author about a hero.
• Religious Poems: Poems with moral, philosophical, and religious themes.

In Prose

• Novels: Classified according to theme (e.g., noir, love, adventure, _chivalry) and according to the narrative style (e.g., realistic, psychological, customs, lyrical).
• Story: Popular or literary.
• Tale: Directed at children, often told by a grandmother, mother, or father.
• Legend: More or less historical, real or not.
• Costumbrismo: A series of articles on customs.

Theater

Major Works

• Tragedy: Tragic theater where all or nearly all characters die.
• Comedy: More friendly theater, where everyday things and optimistic solutions are presented.
• Drama: Conflict arises, involving people of different social status.

Popular Works

• Entremés: A short work represented between acts of a longer play.
• Sainete: A costumbrista work represented by ordinary people.
• Other: Religious works.

Musical Works

• Opera
• Operetta
• Zarzuela: Musical setting of a written text.
• Modern Music: Plays with singing and dancing.

Didactic Genres

Meditations

• Essay: A work on a topic incorporating personal experience.
• Epistolary: A composition in the form of letters.
• Apologue: A story starring irrational beings with a moralistic intent.
• Dialogue: A series of reviews representing views on an issue between two people.

In Verse

• Fable: A story starring animals.
• Satire: A work that ridicules the shortcomings of people, a society, or a social group.

Journalism

• News: About a current event and contains no opinions.
• Opinion Article: Expresses personal opinions on current topics.
• Interview: Presents a current topic in dialogue form.
• Editorial: Unsigned newspaper editorial opinions.
• Chronicle: Information from a correspondent that includes a personal point of view.

Oratory (Speech)

• Political Oratory
• Forensic Oratory
• Academic Speaking
• Sacred Oratory
• Military Oratory

History

• Chronicle: A narration that explains and discusses historical facts.
• Biography/Autobiography: The story of someone's life.
• Travel Story