* Genre: This is the broadest category, encompassing types like novels, short stories, poems, plays, essays, etc. Each genre has its own conventions and expectations.
* Narrative structure: This refers to how the story is told, including plot structure (e.g., linear, non-linear, episodic), point of view (first-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient), and pacing.
* Style: This encompasses the author's distinct voice, word choice (diction), sentence structure (syntax), tone, and use of figurative language (metaphors, similes, etc.).
* Organization: This refers to the arrangement of elements within the work, such as chapters, stanzas, scenes, acts, etc.
* Form and Meter (in poetry): This involves the rhythmic structure of a poem, including elements like rhyme scheme, rhythm, and line length.
Essentially, literary form is the *how* of a literary work – how the content is presented and structured to create a specific effect on the reader. It's not just about *what* is said, but *how* it is said. The choice of form significantly impacts the meaning and impact of the piece.