Criteria by which they are determined play a major role in classification of literary genres. Proceeding from it, genres divide on childbirth, according to contents and in a form.
The given types of classification do not exclude each other, and show different approach to definition of genres. Therefore the same book can concern several of them at once.
Classification of genres of literature by childbirth
At classification of literary genres by childbirth make a start from the author's relation to the stated text. The foundation of this classification was laid still by Aristotle. According to this principle, in literature four large genres are allocated: epic, lyrical, drama and liro-epic. Each of them has own "subgenres".
In epic genres it is told about the events which already took place and the author writes down them according to the memoirs, at the same time he is as much as possible discharged of estimates of told. Carry novels, epic novels, stories, short stories, stories, fairy tales, myths, ballads, fables and bylinas to them. The lyric genre assumes transfer of the feelings which had by the author in the form of the literary work poetically. Odes, elegies, epigrams, messages and stanzas belong to them.
Classical example of stanzas — "Chayld Harold" of Byron.
The Liro-epichesky genre in literature unites characteristics of epic and lyric genres. Carry to them ballads and poems at which there are both a plot and the author's relation to the events. The drama genre exists on a joint of literature and theater. Nominally dramas, comedies and tragedies with the list of the participating characters at the beginning and author's remarks in the main text concern to it. However actually any work which is written down in the form of dialogue can be it.
Classification of genres of literature by contents
If to determine works by contents, then they unite in three big groups: comedies, tragedies and dramas. The tragedy and the drama telling, respectively, about the tragic fate of heroes and about emergence and overcoming the conflict are quite uniform. Comedies share on a little perfect types, according to the taking place action: parody, farce, vaudeville, comedy of situation and characters, sketch and interlude.
Classification of genres of literature by a form
At classification of genres by a form is taken into account only such formal signs as structure and volume of the work, irrespective of their contents.
Most accurately lyrical works are classified by this way, in prose of border are more vague.
According to this principle, allocate thirteen genres: epic, epos, novel, story, short story, story, sketch, play, essay, essay, opus, ode and visions.