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Short Fictions and Poetry
I. Introduction
When one thinks of reading, poetry and fiction may not be the first genres that come to
mind. However, both are important genres with distinct differences. In order to understand these
differences, it is important to first compare the experience of reading poetry to the experience of
reading short fiction. Although there are some similarities between the two, there are also several
key ways in which they differ. These differences can be attributed to the specific characteristics
of each genre. This essay will explore the characteristics of poetry and fiction and how they
account for the different ways in which we read these genres.
II. Comparison of Reading Poetry and Reading Short Fiction
Reading poetry and reading short stories share a number of essential characteristics and
commonalities. To begin, in order to completely comprehend the message conveyed by the text,
a careful reading is necessary for both types of literature. This is due to the fact that figurative
language, such as metaphors and similes, are often used in both poetry and short fiction.
Figurative language may be challenging to comprehend. A further similarity between the two
types of writing is that they often address difficult subjects, such as love, grief, and death, which
need thoughtful attention in order to be grasped completely.
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Reading short stories or poems typically elicits powerful feelings in the reader, which is
another way in which these two forms of literature are comparable to one another. This is due to
the fact that both types of writing deal with personal experiences as well as universal truths,
which are topics that speak to a lot of different individuals. For instance, a reader is more likely
to experience sentiments of love and warmth after reading a poem about a mother's affection for
her kid, but reading a short story about a child's experience of loss is more likely to cause
feelings of sorrow and grief in the reader.
Last but not least, the aesthetic worth of poetry and short stories may be appreciated on
its own, without the reader necessarily having to comprehend the works on a more profound
level. This is due to the fact that both types of writing are often composed exquisitely, with
words and pictures that have been selected with consideration in order to provide a gratifying
result. Even if the reader may not completely grasp the poet's objective, they may nevertheless
appreciate a poem about nature because of its lyrical language and striking visuals. In a similar
vein, a reader may love a short tale for its engaging characters or its creative narrative twists,
even if they do not completely get the message that the author is trying to convey.
III. Characteristics of Poetry and Fiction
Poetry and fiction have several qualities that are important to look for while reading
either genre. To begin, it's important to note that in order to express meaning, both types of
writing make use of figurative language like metaphors and similes. This indicates that both
types of writing need careful reading in order to be comprehended completely. Second, many
difficult subjects, such as love, grief, and death are often explored in both types of literature. This
indicates that they have the ability to elicit powerful emotions in the reader. Finally, the artistic
qualities of both types of music may be appreciated on their own.
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Also, poetry has its own set of traits that distinguish it from other forms of writing. To
begin, language that has a natural rhythm and is intended to be read out loud is often used in
poetic forms. This demonstrates that one may appreciate poetry not just for its message but also
for its melody. Second, in order to communicate a significant lot of significance in a relatively
little amount of space, poets often use the technique of compression. This indicates that poetry
might be difficult to read due to their density and difficulty, yet reading poems can also be
incredibly rewarding.
In addition, fiction has its own set of traits that distinguish it from other genres. To begin,
fiction is often lengthier than poetry, which means that it may convey a more complicated plot
and have characters that are more fully formed. Second, in fiction, conversation is often used to
forward the storyline and develop the characters in the story. This indicates that readers need to
pay close attention to the manner in which the characters communicate in order to have a
complete grasp of who they are. In conclusion, fiction often employs the use of description in
order to evoke a realistic environment and mood. This necessitates the use of the reader's creative
faculties in order for them to successfully visualize the setting of the tale.
IV. How Characteristics Account for Differences in Genre Reading
The characteristics of poetry and fiction account for the different ways in which the two
genres are read. The close reading required for both genres is due to the use of figurative
language and the complex topics often dealt with. The emotional reaction often provoked by
both genres is due to the personal experiences and universal truths often explored. The aesthetic
value of both genres is due to the beautiful language and carefully chosen images used.
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The specific characteristics of poetry account for the different ways in which it is read
compared to fiction. The musicality of poetry is due to the use of rhythmic language, and the
compression of meaning is due to the use of poetic devices such as alliteration and assonance.
These features mean that poetry can be enjoyed on a purely aesthetic level, without necessarily
needing to be understood on a deeper level.
The specific characteristics of fiction also account for the different ways in which it is
read compared to poetry. The length of fiction means that it can tell a more complex story with
more developed characters. The use of dialogue and description in fiction also means that readers
need to pay attention to the way the story is being told, in order to understand it fully. These
features mean that fiction often requires more concentration from readers than poetry does.
V. Conclusion
In conclusion, poetry and short fiction are two genres of literature that share many
similarities, both in terms of form and content. However, there are also some key differences
between the two genres which account for the different ways in which they are read. In this
essay, I have compared the experience of reading poetry to the experience of reading short
fiction, looking closely at the characteristics that the two genres have in common. I have also
discussed the characteristics which are specific to poetry and those which are specific to fiction.
Finally, I have explained how these differences account for the different ways in which the two
genres are read.