Literary Genres

adjective relating to or predicting the complete destruction of the world

• The scientist predicted that if we don't take action, the consequences could be apocalyptic.
• Dude, have you seen that apocalyptic movie on Netflix? It's crazy!
• The party last night was an apocalyptic disaster.
• Her breakup felt like the end of the world, it was truly apocalyptic.

noun a written account of one's own life

adjective autobiographical

• The author published her autobiography last year, detailing her life story.
• I can't wait to read his autobiography and learn more about his background.
• Have you checked out that celeb's autobiography? It's so juicy!
• Writing your autobiography is like creating a roadmap of your life journey.

noun An individual who gathers and accumulates books as a hobby or profession

• The book collector meticulously catalogs each addition to their extensive library.
• My friend is a huge book collector and has shelves overflowing with novels.
• That guy is a total book hoarder, he's always buying more books.
• She was a book collector of memories, each one carefully stored away in her mind.

noun an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or set of circumstances

• The theater production was filled with intense drama and emotion.
• I can't believe all the drama that went down at the party last night.
• There's always so much drama in our friend group, it's exhausting.
• The storm approaching brought with it a sense of drama and anticipation.

noun a genre of literature, art, or film that describes or depicts sexual acts or content in a more explicit and graphic manner

• The library has a special section dedicated to erotica literature.
• I heard that new bookstore carries a lot of erotica books.
• Have you checked out that new erotica series everyone's talking about?
• The painting had an erotic quality to it, almost like a piece of erotica art.

noun a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations

• The play was criticized for its lack of depth and reliance on farce for humor.
• The movie turned out to be a complete farce, nothing like the trailer promised.
• The whole situation was a total farce, I couldn't believe what was happening.
• Her apology seemed like a farce, as if she didn't really mean it at all.

noun a group of people sharing common customs, origins, ancestry, etc.

• The folk music festival showcased traditional songs and dances from different cultures.
• A lot of folk believe in superstitions like avoiding black cats.
• I love hanging out with my folk at the local pub.
• The folk tale of the boy who cried wolf teaches an important lesson about honesty.

noun a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter

• The novel falls under the genre of historical fiction.
• I'm really into the fantasy genre when it comes to books.
• That movie was so bad, it's like a whole new genre of terrible.
• His artwork doesn't fit into any traditional genre, it's like a genre of its own.

noun a style of fiction that emphasizes the grotesque, mysterious, and desolate.

adjective relating to the style of architecture prevalent in western Europe in the 12th–16th centuries, characterized by pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses, together with large windows and elaborate tracery.

• The gothic architecture of the cathedral is truly remarkable.
• I love the gothic style of that old mansion.
• That gothic movie was so creepy!
• Her gothic personality shines through in her dark sense of humor.

noun a biography of saints or venerated persons

• The book presented a detailed hagiography of the saint's life and miracles.
• I found this hagiography about the historical figure quite interesting.
• I never thought I would enjoy reading a hagiography, but this one was really well written.
• Some people believe that social media profiles have become a form of self-created hagiography.

noun a melodramatic movie or television show featuring cowboys and the American West

• The horse opera genre became popular in the early 20th century.
• I love watching those old horse opera movies with all the action and drama.
• Let's kick back and watch a classic horse opera tonight.
• The political debate turned into a real horse opera with all the shouting and accusations.

noun written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit

adjective pertaining to or dealing with the subject of written works

• The study of literature is essential for a well-rounded education.
• I really enjoy reading literature from different time periods.
• Diving into some lit literature this weekend!
• Her mind was a vast library of literature, filled with stories and knowledge.

noun a type of story that focuses on romantic love between two people

• The classic novel is a beautiful love story between two star-crossed lovers.
• Have you heard about that new movie? It's a really cute love story.
• That rom-com is the ultimate love story, it's so cheesy but I love it.
• Their relationship was like a love story written in the stars, destined to be together.

noun a part-song for several voices, especially one of the Renaissance period, typically arranged in elaborate counterpoint and without instrumental accompaniment

• The choir performed a beautiful madrigal at the concert last night.
• I love singing madrigals with my friends during our gatherings.
• Let's crank up the madrigal and have a jam session!
• The intricate dance of the bees around the hive was like a madrigal in motion.

noun a varied mixture or assortment of things

adjective consisting of various types or elements mixed together

• The chef created a delicious medley of fruits for the dessert platter.
• I love when my grandma makes her famous medley of vegetables for dinner.
• Let's mix up a medley of different songs for the party playlist.
• The artist's painting was a medley of colors and emotions.

noun a type of medieval drama based on episodes from the life of a saint or martyr

• The miracle play performed at the theater last night was a captivating display of religious themes and supernatural events.
• Did you see that miracle play at the community center? It was pretty cool.
• The miracle play at the church was lit!
• Watching her recover from that illness was like witnessing a miracle play in real life.

noun a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect

adjective involving or characterized by esoteric, otherworldly, or symbolic practices or content

• The ancient texts describe the mystic rituals performed by the monks in great detail.
• She's always talking about some mystic stuff that I don't really understand.
• That party last night was so mystic, I can't even remember half of it.
• His words had a mystic quality to them, leaving us all in awe.

noun an extended work of fiction

adjective unusual or striking

• The author spent years crafting her latest novel, meticulously researching every detail.
• I just finished reading a really good novel that I couldn't put down.
• That novel was lit, I couldn't stop reading it!
• Exploring new cultures can be a novel experience, opening your mind to different perspectives.

noun a person who writes novels, a novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction

• The novelist was invited to speak at the literary conference.
• I heard that the novelist is working on a new book.
• That novelist's latest novel is lit!
• The novelist painted a vivid picture with words in her latest work.

noun a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life

adjective relating to the countryside or rural areas

• The pastoral landscape was dotted with grazing sheep and rolling hills.
• I love driving through pastoral countryside with all the cute farm animals.
• The pastoral scene was straight out of a postcard, man.
• The CEO's leadership style was described as pastoral, always nurturing and guiding his team.

noun A person who writes plays, typically a professional author

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• The playwright is known for his thought-provoking and innovative works in the theater.
• Have you heard of that playwright who wrote that new play everyone's talking about?
• That playwright is totally killing it with their latest script!
• The playwright is like a master chef, carefully crafting each scene with precision and skill.

noun a small bag or pouch used for carrying money, cards, and other personal items

• She reached into her pocketbook to retrieve her business card.
• I always keep my keys in my pocketbook so I don't lose them.
• Hey, can you spot me some cash? I left my pocketbook at home.
• His knowledge of economics is like a well-worn pocketbook, filled with valuable insights.

noun a magazine or book containing lurid subject matter and being characteristically printed on rough, unfinished paper

verb to reduce to pulp

• The pulp of the orange contains a high amount of vitamin C.
• I love drinking orange juice with pulp in it.
• I can't stand pulp in my juice, it feels weird in my mouth.
• The pulp of the story revealed the true intentions of the protagonist.

adjective describing something with a soft, moist, and slightly thick consistency, like pulp

• The pulpy texture of the fruit made it perfect for making juice.
• I love pulpy orange juice, it's so refreshing.
• I can't stand pulpy drinks, they make me gag.
• Her writing style is pulpy, filled with vivid descriptions and colorful characters.

noun a style or movement characterized by the adoption of aggressively unconventional and often bizarre or shocking clothing, hairstyles, makeup, etc., and the defiance of social norms or standards

• The punk rock movement of the 1970s had a significant impact on music history.
• I love listening to punk music at loud volumes.
• That guy is such a punk, always causing trouble.
• Her rebellious attitude was like a punk rock anthem in a sea of conformity.

noun a person with romantic beliefs or attitudes

adjective relating to or characteristic of being in love or love

• The couple enjoyed a romantic dinner by candlelight.
• They went on a really romantic date last night.
• Their relationship is so cute and romantic.
• The sunset painted a romantic picture in the sky.

noun a number of things, events, or people that are arranged in a sequence or order

adjective relating to or consisting of a series

• The scientist conducted a series of experiments to test his hypothesis.
• We binge-watched the entire series in one weekend.
• I'm hooked on that new series everyone's talking about.
• Life is a series of ups and downs, but we must keep moving forward.

noun a narrative that is shorter in length than a novel

• The author wrote a compelling short story that captivated the readers.
• I love reading a good short story before bed.
• That short story was lit, I couldn't put it down!
• Life is like a short story, full of unexpected twists and turns.

noun a small amount of time

adjective measuring a small distance from end to end

adverb in a small amount of time

• The meeting was cut short due to a scheduling conflict.
• I'll be taking a short break before starting on the next task.
• Let's make this quick and short, I have other things to do.
• His temper is notoriously short, so be careful what you say around him.

adjective pertaining to, characterized by, or given to speculation, conjecture, or supposition

• The investment in the new technology is purely speculative and may not yield any returns.
• I wouldn't invest in that stock, it's too speculative and risky.
• I'm not into all that speculative stuff, I prefer to play it safe with my investments.
• His speculative theories about the origins of the universe are fascinating but unproven.

noun a person who is easily deceived or taken advantage of

preposition used to indicate a person's weakness or fondness for something

• She is a sucker for classical music and always attends the symphony performances.
• I'm a total sucker for romantic comedies, I can watch them all day.
• He's such a sucker for junk food, he can never resist a bag of chips.
• She's a sucker for a good challenge, always pushing herself to excel.

noun a story, especially one that is imaginative or fictitious

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• The novel was based on an ancient tale passed down through generations.
• Have you heard the tale about the haunted house on the hill?
• That party was a wild tale, everyone was talking about it the next day.
• Her success in the business world was like a fairy tale come true.

noun a book that is sold to the general public through bookstores or online retailers

• The publishing company specializes in producing trade books for the education sector.
• I picked up a new trade book at the bookstore yesterday.
• I found a cool trade book that I'm gonna check out.
• Reading a trade book is like taking a journey into another world.

noun an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect

• The concept of utopia has been explored in many philosophical works throughout history.
• Some people believe that living off the grid is the closest thing to utopia.
• Living in a beach house with no responsibilities sounds like utopia to me.
• For her, the perfect garden was a utopia where she could escape from reality.

adjective showing a tendency to weep; tearful or lachrymose

• The weepy movie left many audience members in tears.
• I always get a bit weepy watching sad commercials.
• She's always a bit weepy after a few drinks.
• The weepy sky threatened rain all day.

noun a genre of literature that blends elements of autobiography and fiction, often featuring a protagonist who closely resembles the author

• Autofiction is a literary genre that blends autobiography and fiction.
• I enjoy reading autofiction because it feels like a personal story with a touch of imagination.
• Have you checked out that new autofiction book? It's supposed to be really good.
• Her writing style is like autofiction, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

noun a letter of the alphabet

adjective indicating a failing grade

• The letter F is the sixth letter of the alphabet.
• I got an F on my math test, I really need to study more.
• That concert was so F-ing awesome!
• She gave her ex-boyfriend an F when he asked for a second chance.

adjective pertaining to or situated on the opposite side of a bridge

• The transpontine district is located on the other side of the river.
• Let's explore the transpontine area for some hidden gems.
• I heard the transpontine neighborhood is where all the cool kids hang out.
• Crossing into the transpontine realm felt like entering a different world.

adjective describing a society characterized by human misery, oppression, and suffering

• The novel depicted a dystopian society where individual freedoms were severely restricted.
• The movie we watched last night was set in a dystopian future where technology controlled everything.
• I can't believe how dystopian our world has become with all these surveillance cameras everywhere.
• Her mind was a dystopian landscape, filled with dark thoughts and despair.

noun a genre of fiction that encompasses works in which the setting is other than the real world, involving supernatural elements, futuristic technology, or other imaginative concepts

• Speculative fiction is a genre that encompasses science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
• I love reading speculative fiction because it allows me to escape into different worlds.
• Speculative fiction is like sci-fi on steroids!
• Her mind was a treasure trove of speculative fiction, constantly creating new worlds and possibilities.

noun a hagiography or a hagiographer

adjective relating to or characteristic of a hagiography; hagiographical

• The hagiopic film portrayed the life of the saint in a reverent and respectful manner.
• I watched a hagiopic about a famous historical figure last night.
• That hagiopic was so boring, I fell asleep halfway through.
• Some people treat their own life story like a hagiopic, always highlighting the positive aspects and glossing over the negatives.

noun A combination of the words 'feminist' and 'memoir', referring to a memoir written from a feminist perspective.

• The author published her femoir, detailing her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
• I can't wait to read her femoir and learn more about her life.
• Have you checked out that new femoir? It's a real page-turner.
• Her femoir serves as a powerful testament to the struggles and triumphs of women everywhere.

noun a slang term for erotic literature or media that is targeted towards middle-aged women, typically involving romantic or sexual content

• The term 'mummy porn' is often used to describe erotic literature targeted towards middle-aged women.
• Have you heard of that new mummy porn book that everyone's talking about?
• I can't believe my mom is into mummy porn, it's so embarrassing!
• Some people consider romance novels to be a form of mummy porn, providing a fantasy escape for readers.

noun A person who writes or is an expert in writing memoirs

• The memoirist's latest book delves into their childhood experiences in vivid detail.
• I heard that famous memoirist is coming to town for a book signing.
• That memoirist spilled all the tea in their new memoir!
• As a memoirist of life's ups and downs, she weaves a tapestry of emotions in her writing.

noun A genre of speculative fiction that deals with climate change and global warming

adjective Describing something related to or characteristic of the cli-fi genre

• The academic community is increasingly studying the impact of cli-fi literature on public perception of climate change.
• I love reading cli-fi novels because they make me think about the future of our planet.
• Cli-fi movies are all the rage right now, especially among eco-conscious viewers.
• The author uses cli-fi elements to create a dystopian world that mirrors our current environmental challenges.

noun a fan-created story based on existing works of fiction

• The author gained popularity for their fan fiction based on popular book series.
• I love reading fan fiction about my favorite TV show characters.
• Have you checked out that fan fiction website? It's got some really good stories.
• Her creative writing style was like fan fiction, taking real-life events and adding her own twist.

noun a genre of video games, movies, or literature that combines elements of action and adventure

adjective describing something related to or characteristic of the action-adventure genre

• The new video game is an action-adventure title with stunning graphics and immersive gameplay.
• I love playing action-adventure games because they're so exciting and fast-paced.
• Dude, that action-adventure flick was totally epic!
• Life is like an action-adventure movie, full of unexpected twists and turns.