These are the characteristics of the major literary genres as well as those of films:
1. Fiction
The earliest form of fiction was epics. Most notable of this type are Homer's Iliad and Odyssey (seventh century BC) and Virgil's (70-19 BC). The majority of traditional epics revolve around a hero who has to fulfill a number of tasks of national or cosmic significance in a multiplicity of episodes. The earliest epic in English history was Beowulf which was written in the period of the Anglo-Saxons.
Epics are written in verse and distinguish themselves from other forms of poetry by length, narrative structure, depiction of characters, and plot patterns. Epics and romance are regarded as precursors of the modern novel.
Novel emerged in Spain during the seventeenth century and in England during the eighteenth century.
The major elements of novel are:
Plot: what happens?
Characters: who acts?
Narrative perspectives: who sees what?
Setting: where and when do events take place?
2. Poetry
Poetry is one of the oldest genres in literary history. It dates back to the ancient Greek literature. Poetry is closely related to the terms "lyric" and points to an origin in the sphere of music.
The major elements in poetry are
:
Lexical thematic
Dimension
Diction
Rhetorical figures
Theme
Visual dimension
Stanzas
Concrete poetry
Rhythmic-acoustic dimension
Rhythm and meter
Onomatopoeia
3. Drama
Drama combines the verbal with a number of non-verbal or optical visual means, including stage, scenery, shifting of scenes, facial expressions, gestures, make-up, props and lighting. It is believed that drama originated in the ancient Greek around fifth century BC.
The major elements of drama are:
****
Dialogue
Monologue
Plot
Setting
Stage direction
Transformation
Directing
Stage
Props
Lighting
Performance
Actors
Methods
Facial expressions
Gestures
Language
4. Film
Film and drama are categorized under the heading "performing arts" because they use actors and their means of expression. The most obvious difference between film and drama is the fact that a film is recorded and preserved rather than individually staged in the unique and unrepeatable manner of a theatre performance.
The major elements of films are:
Spatial dimension
Film stock
Lighting
Camera angle
Camera movement
Point of view
Editing
Montage
Temporal dimension
Slow and fast motion
Plot time
Length of film
Flashback
Foreshadowing
Acoustic dimension
Dialogue
Music
Sound effects
