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Difference between revisions of "genre"
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A '''genre''' is a division of a particular form of [[art]] according to criteria particular to that form. In all art forms, genres are vague categories with no fixed boundaries. Genres are formed by sets of conventions, and many works cross into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conventions. The scope of the word "genre" is usually confined to [[art]] and [[culture]]. In [[genre studies]] the concept of genre is often compared to [[originality]]. | A '''genre''' is a division of a particular form of [[art]] according to criteria particular to that form. In all art forms, genres are vague categories with no fixed boundaries. Genres are formed by sets of conventions, and many works cross into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conventions. The scope of the word "genre" is usually confined to [[art]] and [[culture]]. In [[genre studies]] the concept of genre is often compared to [[originality]]. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
==Overall definition== | ==Overall definition== | ||
''Genre'' is originally a [[French language|French]] word meaning "kind", "sort" or "type"; in grammatical terminology, it means ''gender'', and refers to the grammatical categories of masculine, feminine and (in descriptions of some languages other than French) neuter [[grammatical gender|gender]] (the noun "genre" itself belongs to the masculine gender in French, for example). | ''Genre'' is originally a [[French language|French]] word meaning "kind", "sort" or "type"; in grammatical terminology, it means ''gender'', and refers to the grammatical categories of masculine, feminine and (in descriptions of some languages other than French) neuter [[grammatical gender|gender]] (the noun "genre" itself belongs to the masculine gender in French, for example). | ||
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In general there are three types of genre: | In general there are three types of genre: | ||
*Those of [[setting]], such as [[westerns]] or [[science fiction]]; | *Those of [[setting]], such as [[westerns]] or [[science fiction]]; | ||
*Those of [[mood]], such as [[comedy]] or [[horror (genre)|horror]]; | *Those of [[mood]], such as [[comedy]] or [[horror (genre)|horror]]; | ||
*Those of format, such as [[Musical theater|musical]]s or [[non-fiction]]. | *Those of format, such as [[Musical theater|musical]]s or [[non-fiction]]. | ||
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The genre's may also be defined in film by the target audience (e.g. pre-teen or teen). They may also be catagorised by the production values of the film (e.g. blockbuster, independent, b-movie) | The genre's may also be defined in film by the target audience (e.g. pre-teen or teen). They may also be catagorised by the production values of the film (e.g. blockbuster, independent, b-movie) | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
In artforms such as [[music]], [[painting]], and [[sculpture]], genre tends to be determined by format and style. | In artforms such as [[music]], [[painting]], and [[sculpture]], genre tends to be determined by format and style. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
Genres are often divided into sub-genres. In [[literature]], for instance, can be organized according to the "poetic genres" and the "prose genres". [[Poetry]] might be subdivided into [[epic poetry|epic]], [[lyric poetry|lyric]], and [[dramatic poetry|dramatic]], while [[prose]] might be subdivided into [[fiction]] and [[non-fiction]]. Further subdivisions of dramatic poetry, for instance, might include [[comedy]], [[tragedy]], [[melodrama]], and so forth. This parsing into subgenres can continue: "comedy" has its own genres, for example, including [[farce]], [[comedy of manners]], [[burlesque]], and [[satire]]. | Genres are often divided into sub-genres. In [[literature]], for instance, can be organized according to the "poetic genres" and the "prose genres". [[Poetry]] might be subdivided into [[epic poetry|epic]], [[lyric poetry|lyric]], and [[dramatic poetry|dramatic]], while [[prose]] might be subdivided into [[fiction]] and [[non-fiction]]. Further subdivisions of dramatic poetry, for instance, might include [[comedy]], [[tragedy]], [[melodrama]], and so forth. This parsing into subgenres can continue: "comedy" has its own genres, for example, including [[farce]], [[comedy of manners]], [[burlesque]], and [[satire]]. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
==Generic conventions== | ==Generic conventions== | ||
In every field of [[art]] there are [[convention]]s that may simply be [[expectation]]s ([[painting]]s are rectangular) and stock devices (a [[comedy]] ends with a marriage, but a [[western (genre)|western]] can end with the [[hero]] riding off into the sunset). These are generic conventions which are very closely tied to a particular artistic genre, and help to define what that genre is. Some of these conventions may develop into [[cliché]]s. | In every field of [[art]] there are [[convention]]s that may simply be [[expectation]]s ([[painting]]s are rectangular) and stock devices (a [[comedy]] ends with a marriage, but a [[western (genre)|western]] can end with the [[hero]] riding off into the sunset). These are generic conventions which are very closely tied to a particular artistic genre, and help to define what that genre is. Some of these conventions may develop into [[cliché]]s. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
==Genre and audiences== | ==Genre and audiences== | ||
Although most genres are often only vaguely definable, genre considerations are one of the most important factors in determining what a person will see or read. Many genres have built-in audiences and corresponding publications that support them, such as [[magazine]]s and websites. Books and movies that are difficult to pigeonhole into a genre are often less successful commercially. | Although most genres are often only vaguely definable, genre considerations are one of the most important factors in determining what a person will see or read. Many genres have built-in audiences and corresponding publications that support them, such as [[magazine]]s and websites. Books and movies that are difficult to pigeonhole into a genre are often less successful commercially. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
=="Hierarchy of Genres"== | =="Hierarchy of Genres"== | ||
In the field of [[painting]], there exists a "[[hierarchy of genres]]" associated with the [[Académie française]] which once held a central role in [[academic art]]. These genres in hierarchical order are: | In the field of [[painting]], there exists a "[[hierarchy of genres]]" associated with the [[Académie française]] which once held a central role in [[academic art]]. These genres in hierarchical order are: | ||
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* [[Landscape|Landscape painting]] | * [[Landscape|Landscape painting]] | ||
* [[Still life|Still life painting]] | * [[Still life|Still life painting]] | ||
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These categories played an important role between the [[17th century]] and the modern era, when [[painter|painters]] and [[critic|critics]] began to rebel against the many rules of the Académie française, including the Académie's preference for history painting. | These categories played an important role between the [[17th century]] and the modern era, when [[painter|painters]] and [[critic|critics]] began to rebel against the many rules of the Académie française, including the Académie's preference for history painting. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
==Genre in philosophy== | ==Genre in philosophy== | ||
| − | The concept of "genre" has played a notable role among [[Philosophy of language|philosophers of language]], figuring very prominently in the works of philosopher and literary scholar [[Mikhail Bakhtin]]. Bakhtin's basic observations were of "speech genres" (the idea of [[heteroglossia]]), modes of speaking or writing that people learn to mimic, weave together, and manipulate (such as "formal letter" and "grocery list", or "university lecture" and "personal anecdote"). The work of [[Georg Lukács]] also touches on the nature of literary genres, appearing separately but around the same time (1920s–1930s) as | + | The concept of "genre" has played a notable role among [[Philosophy of language|philosophers of language]], figuring very prominently in the works of philosopher and literary scholar [[Mikhail Bakhtin]]. Bakhtin's basic observations were of "speech genres" (the idea of [[heteroglossia]]), modes of speaking or writing that people learn to mimic, weave together, and manipulate (such as "formal letter" and "grocery list", or "university lecture" and "personal anecdote"). The work of [[Georg Lukács]] also touches on the nature of literary genres, appearing separately but around the same time (1920s–1930s) as Bakht[[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]]in. |
| − | + | [[Image:Geek.jpg|thumb|a big fat geek]] | |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Genre studies]] | * [[Genre studies]] | ||
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===Genre articles by field=== | ===Genre articles by field=== | ||
* [[Biblical genre]] | * [[Biblical genre]] | ||
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* [[Webcomic genres]] | * [[Webcomic genres]] | ||
* [[Western (genre)]] | * [[Western (genre)]] | ||
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===Lists of media by genre=== | ===Lists of media by genre=== | ||
* [[List of novelists by genre]] | * [[List of novelists by genre]] | ||
* [[List of computer and video games by genre]] | * [[List of computer and video games by genre]] | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.ericdigests.org/1994/genres.htm Helping Children Understand Literary Genres] | * [http://www.ericdigests.org/1994/genres.htm Helping Children Understand Literary Genres] | ||
* [http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/ Genres of film] at the [[Internet Movie Database]] | * [http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Genres/ Genres of film] at the [[Internet Movie Database]] | ||
* [http://www.bustertests.co.uk/answer/how-to-analyse-genre/ How to analyse genre] | * [http://www.bustertests.co.uk/answer/how-to-analyse-genre/ How to analyse genre] | ||
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[[Category:Genres|*]] | [[Category:Genres|*]] | ||
[[Category:Narratology]] | [[Category:Narratology]] | ||
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[[cs:Žánr]] | [[cs:Žánr]] | ||
[[da:Genre]] | [[da:Genre]] | ||
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[[fi:Genre]] | [[fi:Genre]] | ||
[[sv:Genre]] | [[sv:Genre]] | ||
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Revision as of 01:11, 9 March 2008
A genre is a division of a particular form of art according to criteria particular to that form. In all art forms, genres are vague categories with no fixed boundaries. Genres are formed by sets of conventions, and many works cross into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conventions. The scope of the word "genre" is usually confined to art and culture. In genre studies the concept of genre is often compared to originality.
Contents
Overall definition
Genre is originally a French word meaning "kind", "sort" or "type"; in grammatical terminology, it means gender, and refers to the grammatical categories of masculine, feminine and (in descriptions of some languages other than French) neuter gender (the noun "genre" itself belongs to the masculine gender in French, for example).
In general there are three types of genre:
- Those of setting, such as westerns or science fiction;
- Those of mood, such as comedy or horror;
- Those of format, such as musicals or non-fiction.
The genre's may also be defined in film by the target audience (e.g. pre-teen or teen). They may also be catagorised by the production values of the film (e.g. blockbuster, independent, b-movie)
In artforms such as music, painting, and sculpture, genre tends to be determined by format and style.
Genres are often divided into sub-genres. In literature, for instance, can be organized according to the "poetic genres" and the "prose genres". Poetry might be subdivided into epic, lyric, and dramatic, while prose might be subdivided into fiction and non-fiction. Further subdivisions of dramatic poetry, for instance, might include comedy, tragedy, melodrama, and so forth. This parsing into subgenres can continue: "comedy" has its own genres, for example, including farce, comedy of manners, burlesque, and satire.
Generic conventions
In every field of art there are conventions that may simply be expectations (paintings are rectangular) and stock devices (a comedy ends with a marriage, but a western can end with the hero riding off into the sunset). These are generic conventions which are very closely tied to a particular artistic genre, and help to define what that genre is. Some of these conventions may develop into clichés.
Genre and audiences
Although most genres are often only vaguely definable, genre considerations are one of the most important factors in determining what a person will see or read. Many genres have built-in audiences and corresponding publications that support them, such as magazines and websites. Books and movies that are difficult to pigeonhole into a genre are often less successful commercially.
"Hierarchy of Genres"
In the field of painting, there exists a "hierarchy of genres" associated with the Académie française which once held a central role in academic art. These genres in hierarchical order are:
These categories played an important role between the 17th century and the modern era, when painters and critics began to rebel against the many rules of the Académie française, including the Académie's preference for history painting.
Genre in philosophy
The concept of "genre" has played a notable role among philosophers of language, figuring very prominently in the works of philosopher and literary scholar Mikhail Bakhtin. Bakhtin's basic observations were of "speech genres" (the idea of heteroglossia), modes of speaking or writing that people learn to mimic, weave together, and manipulate (such as "formal letter" and "grocery list", or "university lecture" and "personal anecdote"). The work of Georg Lukács also touches on the nature of literary genres, appearing separately but around the same time (1920s–1930s) as Bakhtin.See also
Genre articles by field
- Biblical genre
- Computer and video game genres
- Crime fiction
- Film genre
- Genre fiction
- Horror (genre)
- Literary genre
- Romantic fiction
- Music genre
- Spy fiction
- Webcomic genres
- Western (genre)
