Fanfiction, an expansive realm where fans have the freedom to explore alternate scenarios, inject new characters, or even reinvent the worlds of their beloved original works. Fanfiction websites like FanFiction.Net or Archive of Our Own (AO3) provide platforms for sharing this creative output. However, as diverse as fanfiction can be in terms of content, an orderly and meaningful categorization is necessary for writers and readers alike. Let's look at the ways fanfiction gets categorized from various aspects.

1. Source Material

The most obvious way fanfiction is categorized is by the source material it’s based on. Every story is tagged with the original TV show, book, movie, or anime it pertains to. This makes it easier for fans of a particular original work to find the fanfiction they want to read.

For example, there are categories for "Harry Potter", "Naruto", "Lord of the Rings" etc. Some popular works have tens of thousands of fanfictions written about them. Smaller fandoms might only have a few hundred or even less.

2. Characters

Characters are the core of most fanfiction. Many readers want stories about specific characters, hence fanfictions are categorized by the main characters they involve, often listed in the order of their importance in the story.

This categorization can also specify whether a character is portrayed in a certain light or role that differs from the original source, which can give potential readers an idea of how different the story might be from what they might expect.

3. Pairings & Relationships

A large portion of fanfiction deals with romantic or sexual relationships, often called 'ships' (short for relationships). Stories are frequently categorized by the couples they centre on, such as Harry/Hermione in the Harry Potter world or Legolas/Gimli in the Lord of the Rings fandom.

Non-romantic relationships are also categorized in this manner. Friendships, familial ties, and antagonistic relationships all receive special tags to help readers find exactly the type of dynamic they want to read about.

4. Rating

All fanfiction stories are classified by a rating system, akin to movie ratings. This includes "K" for kid-friendly stories, "T" for teenagers, "M" for mature content, and "MA" for explicit adult content. This helps readers to choose stories appropriate for their age and comfort level.

It’s important for writers to correctly rate their stories. Misrated stories can lead to uncomfortable situations for readers or even policy violations on most fanfiction websites.

5. Genre

Like books and films, fanfictions are classified by genre. This includes categories like romance, mystery, horror, adventure, and many more. The genre helps set the reader's expectations about the kind of content they will encounter in the story.

Most fanfiction websites allow authors to choose multiple genres for their work. This is because many fanfictions can fall into multiple categories, like a romance with elements of adventure and mystery.

6. Language

As fanfiction is read and written globally, the language of the story is another crucial categorization. Major fanfiction websites support a multitude of languages, enabling writers and readers from all over the world to engage with content in their preferred language.

This categorization helps non-English speakers find works in their mother tongue. Equally, it allows readers trying to learn a new language to practice with fun and exciting content.

7. Length

Stories are sometimes categorized by their length. One-shot stories are standalone tales with one chapter. Short stories are slightly longers. Novellas have a moderate length, and novels are the lengthiest and most detailed stories.

On some platforms, there's also a word count listed for each story, which helps readers figure out how long the story is and if they're up for a long read or if they prefer something shorter and quicker.

8. Tags

Tags play a vital part in fanfiction categorization. There are tags for warnings, such as violence, character death, or explicit content. There are also tags which denote certain themes or elements a story might contain, like fluff, angst, or hurt/comfort. Some tags even indicate specific plot elements like amnesia or time travel.

These additional layers of categorization are essential to allow readers to have an idea of what to expect in a story, particularly those who might require content warnings.

FAQs:

Q: What is a ‘ship�in fanfiction?
A: ‘Ship�is short for relationship. It refers to the romantic or relational pairing that the fanfic explores.

Q: How do I choose the correct content warnings?
A: When in doubt, use a content warning. Anything that could potentially cause discomfort for a reader should be tagged.

Q: Why is my favorite fanfic not listed in a particular category?
A: The categorization depends on the author's choices when they upload a story. If they don't tag their story correctly, it might not show up in the expected categories.

Conclusion

In conclusion, categorization plays a significant role in the vast world of fanfiction. Not only does it make it easier for readers to find stories that suit their interests, but it also gives the writers an idea of how to reach their targeted audience. With a multitude of categories to choose from, there's no limit on what can be explored in the world of fanfiction. Happy reading!

References:

1. FanFiction.Net - https://www.fanfiction.net/

2. Archive of Our Own (AO3) - https://archiveofourown.org/

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