I define “reading empowerment” as the ability to build your life skills by reading. There is nothing in life that you cannot learn. If there is a new process or skill that is discovered, then there will always be a writer to share new knowledge, and the readers that want to learn and improve their own skills of personal interests.
Reading empowerment is one of the greatest abilities in life. We start by listening to words and then progress by being taught how to read. Once we learn how to read, then we can read to others and pass on the beauty of stories. We continue each day increasing our life knowledge and abilities by listening and reading. Each person has different thoughts and interests as we grow and decide what we want to learn each step of the way.
There are so many different genres to discover. I will list a few and define (in short version), the meaning of each genre. This will give you an idea of just how many reading options that we actually have and can discover and expand on.
Here is a basic condensed list of literary genres, with hopes that it will help in having a better understanding of the differences.
Literary genre ~
I give much due credit to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
My feelings are that sometimes they seem to overlap, which can make it seem confusing as to what category some writings should go under. Hopefully the following will give you a quick overlook so that you have a more clear idea, but if in doubt just go with your gut feeling.
Action:
A story, similar to Adventure, but the protagonist usually takes a risky turn, which leads to desperate situations (including explosions, fight scenes, daring escapes, etc.).
Adventure:
A story about a protagonist who journeys to epic or distant places to accomplish something.
Comedy:
A story that tells about a series of funny or comical events, intended to make the audience
laugh.
Crime:
A story about a crime that is being committed or was committed. It can also be an account of a criminal's life. It often falls into the Action or Adventure genres.
Documentary:
A story that re-tells events rather than create them. Usually, it is about true historic events.
Erotic:
Erotic literature comprises fictional and factual stories and accounts of human sexual relationships which have the power to or are intended to arouse the reader sexually.
The use of children in sexual materials is strictly prohibited in all 50 states, and possession of such is a crime. Local government also has the authority to set standards for "obscenity", and can regulate/prohibit materials in their jurisdiction. They can also regulate who can have access to these materials (age requirements). Thus the First Amendment is not an absolute when erotica is concerned.
Faction:
Faction, a neologism, in literature, describes a text as based on real historical figures, and actual events, woven together with fictitious allegations.
Fantasy:
A story about magic and supernatural forces, rather than technology, though it often is made to include elements of other genres, such as science fiction elements, for instance computers or DNA, if it happens to take place in a modern or future era.
Historical:
A story about a real person or event. Often, they are written in a text book format, which may or may not focus on solely that person or event.
Horror:
A story that is told to deliberately scare or frighten the audience, through suspense, violence or shock.
Mystery:
Although normally associated with the crime genre, the term "mystery fiction" may in certain situations refer to a completely different genre, where the focus is on supernatural mystery (even if no crime is involved).
Paranoid:
Paranoid fiction is a term sometimes used to describe works of literature that explores the subjective nature of reality and how it can be manipulated by forces in power.
Philosophical:
Philosophical fiction refers to works of fiction in which a significant proportion of the work is devoted to a discussion of the sort of questions normally addressed in discursive philosophy.
Political:
Political fiction is a sub-genre of fiction that deals with political affairs. Political fiction has often used narrative to provide commentary on political events, systems and theories.
Romance:
Traditionally, a story involving chivalry and adventure.
Saga:
The sagas (from Icelandic saga, plural sögur), are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, about early Viking voyages, about migration to Iceland, and of feuds between Icelandic families.
Satire:
Often strictly defined as a literary genre or form, although in practice it is also found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods, ideally with the intent to bring about improvement.
Science Fiction:
Similar to fantasy, except stories in this genre use scientific understanding to explain the universe that it takes place in. It generally includes or is centered on the presumed effects or ramifications of computers or machines; travel through space, time or alternate universes; alien life-forms; genetic engineering; or other such things.
Slice of life:
A story that might have no plot, but represents a portion of (everyday) life.
Speculative:
Utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history.
Thriller:
A story that is usually a mix of fear and excitement.
Urban:
Urban fiction, also known as Street lit, is a literary genre set, as the name implies, in a city landscape; however, the genre is as much defined by the race and culture of its characters as the urban setting.
Give the gift of knowledge ~ a book!
