What term refers to a type or category of literary work, such as poetry, essay, or drama?

The term that refers to a type or category of literary work is "genre." This classification encompasses various forms of literature, such as poetry, drama, essays, fiction, and non-fiction, among others. Understanding genre helps readers and scholars categorize works based on their characteristics, themes, and structures, thus providing insight into the writer's intent and the conventions of the literary form. While narrative relates to the storytelling aspect within those genres, theme pertains to the underlying messages or central ideas conveyed in a work. Style refers to the author's unique way of expressing ideas through language and technique, which is separate from the category of the literary work itself.