Genre vs. Style: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 16, 2023
Genre categorizes artistic works based on shared themes or conventions. Style refers to the distinctive manner of expression or execution within an artistic work.
Key Differences
Genre and style, while both integral to artistic expression, hold distinct meanings. Genre is a classification system, grouping works based on similarities in form, theme, or subject matter. For instance, in literature, genres might include mystery, romance, or science fiction. On the other hand, style pertains to the individual manner or technique an artist employs in their work.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Discussing music provides a clear differentiation between genre and style. The genre might encompass broad categories like rock, jazz, or classical. Yet, within these genres, the style of individual musicians or groups can vary widely. For instance, two rock bands might both belong to the rock genre but have significantly different styles based on their instrumentation, vocal techniques, or songwriting methods.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
In visual arts, genre can classify works into categories like portrait, landscape, or still life. However, style will delineate how an artist paints a landscape — whether they use broad, impressionistic strokes, precise, realistic detail, or abstract forms. Thus, while genre sets the broad category, style provides the unique fingerprint of the artist.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Films also offer insights into the distinctions between genre and style. A movie might belong to the horror genre, indicating specific thematic elements. Yet, the director's style might be seen in the film's pacing, camera angles, and lighting, which collectively create a unique viewing experience, distinct from other films in the same genre.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 16, 2023
Architectural designs, too, illuminate the differences between genre and style. Buildings might be categorized into genres like Gothic, Renaissance, or Modernist. Yet, individual architects bring their own style to these genres, selecting particular materials, adding unique design elements, or integrating specific functional features.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Category based on shared themes or conventions
Distinct manner of expression or execution
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Nov 16, 2023
In Visual Arts
Classifications like portrait, landscape
Individual artistic techniques or approach
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Nov 16, 2023
In Literature
Types like mystery, romance
Author's unique voice, tone, or method of storytelling
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
In Films
Categories such as horror, comedy
Director's specific approach to storytelling and filming
Harlon Moss
Nov 16, 2023
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Genre and Style Definitions
Genre
A style or category of art, music, or literature.
The fantasy genre often features magical elements and mythical creatures.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
Style
The manner in which something is expressed or performed.
Her writing style is descriptive and engaging.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
Genre
A category of artistic works sharing common characteristics or themes.
The mystery genre often involves a detective solving a crime.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
Style
The technique or approach adopted by an artist, writer, or designer.
The director's style is known for long, uninterrupted shots.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Genre
A classification of artistic compositions by form, content, or other criteria.
The romance genre focuses on relationships and emotional connections.
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Oct 27, 2023
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Style
The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed
A style of teaching.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Genre
A type or kind, especially of literary or musical composition.
Science fiction is a genre that explores futuristic concepts.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
Style
The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Genre
A grouping based on similar subject matter or form within artistic domains.
The documentary genre aims to present factual information.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
Genre
A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content
"his six String Quartets ... the most important works in the genre since Beethoven's" (Time).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
A quality of imagination and individuality expressed in one's actions and tastes
Does things with style.
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Oct 13, 2023
Genre
A type or class
"Emaciated famine victims ... on television focused a new genre of attention on the continent" (Helen Kitchen).
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Oct 13, 2023
Genre
A kind; a stylistic category or sort, especially of literature or other artworks.
The still life has been a popular genre in painting since the 17th century.
This film is a cross-genre piece, dark and funny at the same time.
The computer game Half-Life redefined the first-person shooter genre.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
The fashion of the moment, especially of dress; vogue
Clothes that are in style.
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Oct 13, 2023
Genre
Kind; genus; class; form; style, esp. in literature.
French drama was lisping or still inarticulate; the great French genre of the fabliau was hardly born.
A particular demand . . . that we shall pay special attention to the matter of genres - that is, to the different forms or categories of literature.
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Oct 13, 2023
Genre
A style of painting, sculpture, or other imitative art, which illustrates everyday life and manners.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
A customary manner of presenting printed material, including usage, punctuation, spelling, typography, and arrangement
A manual of style.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
A slender pointed writing instrument used by the ancients on wax tablets.
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Oct 13, 2023
Genre
A class of art (or artistic endeavor) having a characteristic form or technique
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(Botany) The usually slender part of a pistil, connecting the ovary and the stigma.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(Zoology) A slender, tubular, or bristlelike process
A cartilaginous style.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
To design or fashion in a certain way
Styled the new model after the classic sports cars.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
To arrange (hair) in a certain way, as by cutting, coloring, or curling.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
To call or name; designate
George VI styled his brother Duke of Windsor.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(historical) A sharp stick used for writing on clay tablets or other surfaces; a stylus; an instrument used to write with ink; a pen.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
A tool with a sharp point used in engraving; a burin, a graver, a stylet, a stylus.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
The gnomon or pin of a sundial, the shadow of which indicates the hour.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(botany) The stalk that connects the stigma(s) to the ovary in a pistil of a flower.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(surgery) A kind of surgical instrument with a blunt point, used for exploration.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(by extension from sense 1.1) A particular manner of expression in writing or speech, especially one regarded as good.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
A legal or traditional term or formula of words used to address or refer to a person, especially a monarch or a person holding a post or having a title.
Monarchs are often addressed with the style of Majesty.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
A particular manner of creating, doing, or presenting something, especially a work of architecture or art.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
A particular manner of acting or behaving; (specifically) one regarded as fashionable or skilful; flair, grace.
As a dancer, he has a lot of style.
Backstabbing people is not my style.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
A particular way in which one grooms, adorns, dresses, or carries oneself; (specifically) a way thought to be attractive or fashionable.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(computing) A visual or other modification to text or other elements of a document, such as boldface or italics.
Applying styles to text in a wordprocessor
Cascading Style Sheets
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
A set of rules regarding the presentation of text (spelling, typography, the citation of references, etc.) and illustrations that is applied by a publisher to the works it produces.
The house style of the journal
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(transitive) To design, fashion, make, or arrange in a certain way or form (style)
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
To create for, or give to, someone a style, fashion, or image, particularly one which is regarded as attractive, tasteful, or trendy.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
An instrument used by the ancients in writing on tablets covered with wax, having one of its ends sharp, and the other blunt, and somewhat expanded, for the purpose of making erasures by smoothing the wax.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
Mode of expressing thought in language, whether oral or written; especially, such use of language in the expression of thought as exhibits the spirit and faculty of an artist; choice or arrangement of words in discourse; rhetorical expression.
High style, as when that men to kinges write.
Style is the dress of thoughts.
Proper words in proper places make the true definition of style.
It is style alone by which posterity will judge of a great work.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
Mode of presentation, especially in music or any of the fine arts; a characteristic of peculiar mode of developing in idea or accomplishing a result.
The ornamental style also possesses its own peculiar merit.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
Conformity to a recognized standard; manner which is deemed elegant and appropriate, especially in social demeanor; fashion.
According to the usual style of dedications.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
Mode or phrase by which anything is formally designated; the title; the official designation of any important body; mode of address; as, the style of Majesty.
One style to a gracious benefactor, another to a proud, insulting foe.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
The pin, or gnomon, of a dial, the shadow of which indicates the hour. See Gnomon.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
A mode of reckoning time, with regard to the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
The elongated part of a pistil between the ovary and the stigma. See Illust. of Stamen, and of Pistil.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
To entitle; to term, name, or call; to denominate.
How well his worth and brave adventures styled.
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
How something is done or how it happens;
Her dignified manner
His rapid manner of talking
Their nomadic mode of existence
In the characteristic New York style
A lonely way of life
In an abrasive fashion
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
A way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period;
All the reporters were expected to adopt the style of the newspaper
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
Distinctive and stylish elegance;
He wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
The popular taste at a given time;
Leather is the latest vogue
He followed current trends
The 1920s had a style of their own
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
(botany) the narrow elongated part of the pistil between the ovary and the stigma
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
Editorial directions to be followed in spelling and punctuation and capitalization and typographical display
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
A pointed tool for writing or drawing or engraving;
He drew the design on the stencil with a steel stylus
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
Designate by an identifying term;
They styled their nation `The Confederate States'
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Oct 13, 2023
Style
Make consistent with a certain fashion or style;
Style my hair
Style the dress
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Style
A distinctive appearance or manner of expression.
The painter's style is characterized by vibrant colors.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
Style
A unique mode of expression, execution, or performance in any art.
The musician's style blends jazz with classical elements.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Style
A characteristic way of presenting ideas or concepts.
His storytelling style is both humorous and poignant.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
FAQs
Is style unique to each artist?
While artists may have distinct styles, some styles can be shared or influenced by others.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Are genres fixed or can they evolve?
Genres can evolve over time, and new genres can emerge.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Can a work belong to more than one genre?
Yes, a work can blend elements from multiple genres.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Does style only refer to visual characteristics?
No, style can refer to techniques, approaches, and expression across various arts.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Is the style more subjective than genre?
Style is often more open to interpretation, while genre has more defined characteristics.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 16, 2023
Can style influence genre?
While style is more about execution, a prevalent style can sometimes birth a new genre.
Harlon Moss
Nov 16, 2023
Can a single work have multiple styles?
Yes, especially in collaborative works, multiple styles can be evident.
Sara Rehman
Nov 16, 2023
Can a genre dictate the style of a work?
While genre can influence style, it doesn't dictate it. Artists can bring diverse styles to a single genre.
Sara Rehman
Nov 16, 2023
How do critics determine the genre of contemporary works?
Critics use established criteria, but as genres evolve, there can be debates about categorization.
Janet White
Nov 16, 2023
Are there sub-genres within main genres?
Yes, main genres can have various sub-genres that offer more specific categorizations.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Can an artist be recognized solely by their style?
Many iconic artists have distinct styles that make their work instantly recognizable.
Harlon Moss
Nov 16, 2023
How does culture impact genre and style?
Culture can shape both the thematic content (genre) and manner of expression (style) in arts.
Harlon Moss
Nov 16, 2023
Can the style of an artist change over time?
Absolutely, many artists evolve their styles throughout their careers.
Sara Rehman
Nov 16, 2023
Is genre more about content and style about execution?
Broadly, yes. Genre often categorizes content, while style pertains to the manner of execution.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Does every artist have a defined style?
Most artists develop a style, but it can be fluid and change over time.
Harlon Moss
Nov 16, 2023
Can two artists have the same style?
While two artists might share similarities, each artist's style has unique nuances.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Are there definitive lists of genres in arts?
While there are widely recognized genres, arts are dynamic, leading to the emergence of new genres.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 16, 2023
Does the medium (e.g., paint, digital) influence an artist's style?
The medium can influence technique, which is a component of style.
Sara Rehman
Nov 16, 2023
How does one identify the genre of a work?
Through thematic, structural, and form-based characteristics typical to that genre.
Sara Rehman
Nov 16, 2023
Can a genre fall out of popularity?
Yes, genres can ebb and flow in popularity based on cultural and societal changes.
Janet White
Nov 16, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
