What is 'Genre'?

The Macquarie Dictionary defines 'genre' as 'kind; sort; style". Genre is seen as the type of something.

You need to explore the notions of genre - both its conventions and underlying values.

Genre refers to a set type of text, eg: Horror, Romance, Thriller, etc.

In English, genre is quite specific and each type of text has set rules or conventions.

The conventions of genre are:

• Plot types and twists
• Objects/motifs
• Setting
• Character Types
• Dialogue
• Concerns/Themes
• Atmosphere

The Demands of the Module

When studying Crime Fiction you will explore the genre. Students should consider the following aspects of Crime Fiction:

• How it is adapted to different eras and cultures?
• How these adaptations reflect the attitudes and values of these eras and cultures?
• Why crime fiction arose as a genre?
• What social and cultural conditions have led to the appeal of crime fiction?
• The reasons for and validity of generic distinctions.

You will be studying three of the following prescribed texts:

The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard

The Skull beneath the Skin by P.D. James

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