Fiction:
* Novels: Long, complex narratives with developed characters and plots. Examples: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
* Short stories: Shorter, more focused narratives, often with a single central theme. Examples: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson.
* Novellas: Works of fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. Examples: "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka, "Animal Farm" by George Orwell.
* Fairy tales: Traditional stories featuring magical elements, often with moral lessons. Examples: "Cinderella", "The Little Mermaid".
* Myths and legends: Stories that explain natural phenomena or cultural beliefs, often featuring supernatural beings. Examples: "The Odyssey" by Homer, "The Legend of King Arthur".
Nonfiction:
* Essays: Written explorations of a specific topic, often with the author's personal perspective. Examples: "Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau, "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell.
* Biographies and autobiographies: Accounts of the lives of real people. Examples: "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson.
* Memoirs: Personal accounts of a specific period in the author's life. Examples: "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt, "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls.
* Travel writing: Accounts of the author's travels and experiences. Examples: "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer, "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.
* Journalism: News articles, feature stories, and opinion pieces. Examples: "The New York Times", "The Washington Post".
Poetry:
* Lyrical poetry: Expresses personal feelings and emotions. Examples: "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, "Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare.
* Narrative poetry: Tells a story. Examples: "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer, "The Epic of Gilgamesh".
* Dramatic poetry: Written to be performed, often with dialogue. Examples: "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde.
Drama:
* Plays: Written works intended for performance, with dialogue and stage directions. Examples: "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams.
* Screenplays: Written works for films and television. Examples: "Casablanca", "The Godfather".
Other:
* Letters: Written communications between individuals. Examples: "Letters of a Nation" by Abraham Lincoln, "The Letters of Virginia Woolf".
* Speeches: Formal addresses delivered to an audience. Examples: "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr., "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat" by Winston Churchill.
What makes a literary piece "literary" is its artistic merit. This includes:
* Use of language: Literary pieces often use language creatively, with rich imagery, symbolism, and figurative language.
* Themes and ideas: They explore complex themes and ideas, often with a deeper meaning.
* Structure and form: They have a specific structure and form, often with a beginning, middle, and end.
* Character development: The characters are well-developed and believable, with their own motivations and desires.
* Impact on the reader: They have the power to evoke emotions, challenge perspectives, and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
It's important to remember that literary pieces are subjective. Different people will find different works of art meaningful and impactful.