By Medium:
* Screenplay: The most common type, written for film and television. It follows a specific format with scene headings, character names, dialogue, and action descriptions.
* Stage Play: Written for live theater, stage plays also have scene headings, character names, dialogue, and stage directions. However, the focus is on visual storytelling and stagecraft.
* Teleplay: Similar to screenplays but specifically written for television. They can be further categorized into specific genres, such as sitcoms, dramas, and reality shows.
* Radio Play: Written for audio-only broadcasting. Dialogue and sound effects are the primary elements, with minimal or no visual descriptions.
* Video Game: A specific form of screenplay for interactive narratives in video games. It often incorporates branching storylines, player choices, and specific instructions for game mechanics.
By Genre:
* Comedy: Focuses on humor, witty dialogue, and lighthearted situations.
* Drama: Explores serious themes, complex characters, and emotionally charged narratives.
* Thriller: Builds suspense and tension, often with elements of mystery, danger, and crime.
* Horror: Aims to scare and evoke fear through supernatural, gruesome, or psychological elements.
* Romance: Emphasizes romantic relationships, love, and emotional connections.
* Science Fiction: Explores futuristic concepts, technology, and space exploration.
* Fantasy: Features magical elements, mythical creatures, and imaginative worlds.
By Style:
* Traditional: Follows established formatting conventions and focuses on clear, concise writing.
* Experimental: Breaks traditional norms, experimenting with unconventional storytelling methods and language.
* Literary: Emphasizes poetic language, character development, and complex themes.
* Documentary: Uses interviews, archival footage, and factual information to tell a story.
* Non-Fiction: Based on real events, focusing on historical, scientific, or biographical topics.
* Animated: Written specifically for animation, incorporating visual descriptions for animation techniques and character movements.
Beyond these broad categories, other specific styles and subgenres exist, such as:
* Web series: Short-form content written for online platforms, often with a serialized format.
* One-act play: A stage play with a single act, typically shorter and more focused than a full-length play.
* Musical: A stage play that incorporates songs and dances.
* Opera: A type of musical with a more operatic style of singing and performance.
Ultimately, the style of script writing depends on the intended medium, genre, and audience, and the writer's own unique voice and approach.