Chapter 5 - Identifying the explanatory framework within a text

Summary

In Chapter 3 I propose that a literary work “is any text produced for publication or broadcast, and in any genre or format”. This definition offers no assessment of the value or quality of that text because I do not subscribe to the notion that literary works – including in the misnamed genre known as “literary fiction” – are somehow “high brow” or of a higher quality, standard or value than works in other genres. Thus, all mention in this guide of “literary texts” should be read in reference to the full gamut of:

• fiction genres – including “genre fiction”, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, young adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, romance etc.

• non-fiction genres – including creative non-fiction, memoir, auto/biography, textbooks, guidebooks, dictionaries and reference works etc.

• long-form and short-form texts published electronically and online, including websites, blogs and social media.