What specific form or type of literature such as the essay sonnet is called what?

There isn't a single term for "specific form or type of literature" like "essay sonnet." Instead, we use a combination of terms to describe a specific form or type of literature:

* Genre: This refers to a broad category of literature, such as poetry, fiction, drama, or non-fiction.

* Form: This describes the structure and organization of a piece of literature. Examples include:

* Poetry: Sonnet, haiku, ode, ballad, free verse

* Fiction: Novel, novella, short story, flash fiction

* Non-fiction: Essay, biography, memoir, article

* Style: This encompasses the author's distinctive use of language, imagery, and tone.

* Subgenre: A more specific category within a genre, often reflecting a particular theme or topic. Examples include:

* Science fiction: Space opera, cyberpunk, dystopian fiction

* Fantasy: High fantasy, urban fantasy, epic fantasy

So, to describe something like an "essay sonnet," we would combine terms:

* Genre: Poetry

* Form: Sonnet

* Style: Essayistic (emphasizing argument and reflection)

This approach allows for precise description of a specific type of literature. We could even say "an essay sonnet *in the style of* Shakespeare," which would further refine the description.