Literary and Popular Narrative: Genres and Characteristics

Classification of Narrative

Narrative can be divided into two groups according to the literary record: Cultured Narrative and Popular Narrative.

Cultured Narrative

This category includes two basic literary productions, widely cultivated through novels and short stories:

• Novel: The most complex narrative genre, combining all formal elements of narration. Novels are often classified by subject matter or the treatment of the narrative discourse.
• Short Story (Tale): A narrative shorter in extension than a novel, which can also combine all elements of narrative discourse. It is important to distinguish these from folkloric or popular oral tales, often referred to as rondalles.

Popular Narrative

This category encompasses various genres, with traditional folklore standing out through tales and stories. In Catalan literature, this genre became particularly popular during the 19th century through costumisme (sketches of manners).

• Fable: A brief narrative that combines real and fantasy elements. It is essentially oral in nature and is intended primarily for children with a moralizing purpose.
• Legend: A fantastic narrative based on a historical fact, reinterpreted by the popular imagination with wonderful elements.
• Sketches of Manners (Costumisme): A popular narrative that presents environments and characters—typically artisans and urban figures—characteristic of 19th-century society before industrialization.

Reportage and Journalism

Reportage is an expository text that explains facts witnessed directly by a journalist. It prioritizes speculative language and provides information of general interest based on reliable data, often featuring a personal style.

Key Features of Reportage

• Distinction: It is distinguished from a standard news note by its length, as it serves to expand upon previously published information.
• Characteristics: It exposes a subject with depth, offering a novel point of view. It utilizes a vivid style, including descriptions, imagery, and dialogues.

Structural Components

Reportage is divided into two main parts:

• Headline: The title of the report.
• Introduction: Enunciates the theme and serves as the attractive part of the text, designed to encourage the reader to continue.
• Body: The core dataset, where facts are narrated. The final paragraph usually serves as a recapitulation of the preceding information.