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Humanities LibreTexts

3: Genres

  • Page ID
    69220
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    If strategies (or modes) are the umbrellas of writing, then genres are the varied people who exist under those umbrellas. A creative essay could be personified as a hippie under that umbrella; perhaps, she likes to use photos and poetry along with her narration. The story of a girl who flips her car while eating a Twix bar – a memoir – would be me (Sybil), and that story will use narration as well as description. Strategies, modes, and genres intertwine, just like people - we are not one perfect personality; neither is writing.

    As you read, ask yourself what sort of structure you’ve seen these genres used in. What kinds of content have you see when it comes to these genres? Do you see a strict or flexible structure used? Do you see creative content or technical content used?

    The following genres are listed and explained in alphabetical order.


    This page titled 3: Genres is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sybil Priebe, Ronda Marman, & Dana Anderson (North Dakota University System) .

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