Types of Writing Recognised by Major Awards
Major literary awards recognise various genres, reflecting the diversity and richness of written expression.
Fiction
- Definition: Fiction involves narrative works created from the imagination, not strictly based on real events.
- Common Awards: The Booker Prize, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, National Book Award.
- Notable Authors: Kazuo Ishiguro, Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison.
- Fiction vs. Non-fiction: Fiction is characterised by storytelling, whereas non-fiction is informative and fact-based.
- Literary Work: Key works include "The Remains of the Day" (Ishiguro) and "The Handmaid's Tale" (Atwood).
Biography
- Definition: Biography details the life and experiences of an individual, often highlighting significant events and contributions.
- Common Awards: The Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography, Costa Book Awards.
- Notable Authors: Walter Isaacson, Robert Caro, David McCullough.
- Fiction vs. Non-fiction: Unlike fiction, biographies are factual narratives rooted in reality.
- Literary Work: Example works include "Steve Jobs" (Isaacson) and "The Power Broker" (Caro).
Poetry
- Definition: Poetry is a form of literary art that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning.
- Common Awards: The T. S. Eliot Prize, The Poetry Foundation's Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.
- Notable Authors: Ted Hughes, Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath.
- Fiction vs. Non-fiction: Poetry can be both fictional and non-fictional, using imagery and language creatively.
- Literary Work: Key collections include "Birthday Letters" (Hughes) and "The Poet's Companion" (Addonizio & Laux).
Journalism
- Definition: Journalism encompasses news writing and reporting that informs the public about current events and issues.
- Common Awards: The Pulitzer Prize for Journalism, George Polk Awards.
- Notable Authors: Seymour Hersh, Barbara Walters, Bob Woodward.
- Fiction vs. Non-fiction: Journalism is strictly non-fiction, focused on providing accurate reports and analyses.
- Literary Work: Influential pieces include "All the President's Men" (Woodward & Bernstein) and "The Pentagon Papers" (Hersh).
