THE MAIN ANTHOLOGY TYPES - LITERATURE - 2025

There are several types of anthology, but the most popular are literary and academic. An anthology is a compilation of complete literary works or passages, works of art, or music.

These collections are selected for their value or for their quality. Etymologically, the word comes from the Greek roots anthos and legein, which translate flower and choose, respectively.

Originally, the term meant selection of flowers. In fact, a synonym for anthology is florilegio.

The terms anthology and collection are often used interchangeably. However, if it is the first, the expectation is to see works of various types (poetry, prose, even art), several authors and possibly a shared theme in the same publication.

In a collection, it is expected to see works by an author, organized with some logical criteria.

Types of anthology and their characteristics

There are different types of anthologies such as comics, essays, fiction, poetry, movies, and even television shows.

Thus, you can find titles such as: Anthology of modern Mexican poetry, digital skills, riddles and others. But in general, two of the most recognized are literary and academic.

- Literary anthology

The most common category is the literary anthology. In these cases, publishers compile from different sources and publish it in book form.

It is then a collection of writings by various selected authors. Texts generally share one element in common: literary form, period, or the same theme.

Alternatively, it can also be a collection of writings by the same author. However, care must be taken not to confuse anthologies and compilations. Every anthology is a compilation, but not every compilation is an anthology.

An anthologist must have read enough about the genre or topic to choose the most representative.

A compiler calls on authors to write on a particular topic, or chooses already published texts.

- Academic anthology

The academic anthology is for educational purposes. These are collections of texts by several authors or the same author on a specific topic or subject, based on a review criterion.

It should collect the most relevant and include comments that allow elucidating the central ideas and intentions of the texts. Its objective is to support the programmatic contents of the subjects or modules.

Among its characteristics, it has to seek to achieve knowledge about the different points of view in relation to the subject and objective.

Also, expect the creators to form their personal opinions and reach their own conclusions.

The content should be unbiased as much as possible; that is to say, it must contemplate the multiple approaches and the different ideological interpretations. In addition, you have to motivate the reader to delve into the topic.

Within this category, there are several types of anthology:

Theoretical

The selected material must contain concepts, principles, theoretical developments and the like.

Practice

Its content should include procedures to respond to a problem, analyze specific cases, or address a practical activity.

Practical theory

The selection has to contain theoretical aspects and practical implications.

References

1. Pérez Porto, J. and Merino, M. (2014). Definition of anthology. Retrieved on September 14, 2017, from definicion.de.
2. Anthology. (2017, July). Etymological dictionary. Retrieved on September 14, 2017, from etimologias.dechile.net.
3. North, M. (2011, November 04). Book Publishing: What is the difference between an anthology and a collection? Retrieved on September 14, 2017, from quora.com.
4. Anthology. (s / f). In Literary devices. Retrieved on September 14, 2017, from literarydevices.net.
5. A definitive guide to writing and publishing an anthology. (2016, October 11). From Notion Press Academy. Retrieved on September 14, 2017, from notionpress.com.
6. Zelaya Sánchez, M. (2017, March 19). Literary anthologies: how, why and for what. On Page 7. Retrieved on September 14, 2017, from paginasiete.bo.
7. Elaboration of anthologies (2007, October). UFAC. General Directorate of Undergraduate Teaching. Retrieved on September 14, 2017, from Recursos.salonesvirtuales.com.