Piece Type Glossary

Every piece on Shiaverse is categorized by one of four types. Use this guide to identify which type best describes your piece before uploading.

Elegy

Lament · Mourning · Recital

SalamNauhaLatmiyyaMatamMarsiyaRhythmic LamentPassion NarrativeStorytelling Recital
Ode

Praise · Tribute · Devotion

ManqabatNasheedQasidaPraiseTribute Song
Poem

Literary · Reflective · Artistic

Free VerseSpoken WordLiterary PoemReflective VerseStructured Poetry
Rap

Rhythmic · Flow · Contemporary

If your piece spans multiple types, choose the one that best describes its primary nature. When in doubt, consider how it would be performed and what emotion or purpose it primarily serves.

Song Structure

When adding lyrics, use section headers in brackets to structure your piece. Each section becomes its own labelled block on the piece page.

Intro

The opening section. Sets the tone before the main verses begin. Usually instrumental or a short recited phrase.

Verse

The main storytelling section. Verses carry the narrative or message of the piece. Number them sequentially, [Verse 1], [Verse 2], etc.

Pre-Chorus

A short transitional section between a verse and the chorus. Builds tension and momentum before the main refrain.

Chorus / Hook

The repeated, central refrain of the piece. The most memorable part, typically the emotional peak. Use [Chorus] as the label.

Bridge

A contrasting section that breaks from the verse/chorus pattern. Often shifts in tone, tempo, or theme to add variety before returning to the chorus.

Outro

The closing section. Brings the piece to an end, sometimes echoing the intro or fading out on the chorus theme.

Example

[Intro]
Opening lines here

[Verse 1]
First verse lines

[Chorus]
Repeated refrain

[Verse 2]
Second verse lines

[Outro]
Closing lines

Artist Types

Artists on Shiaverse are credited by the role they play in a piece. When claiming your profile, select the type that best reflects how you contribute.

Vocalist

A vocalist is anyone who performs or delivers a piece with their voice. This includes reciters, chanters, singers, and spoken word artists, anyone whose voice carries the piece to the listener.

Writer

A writer is anyone who authors the words of a piece, original poems, elegies, odes, lyrics written for themselves or for other performers. If you put the words together, you are the writer.

Vocalist & Writer

Some artists both write and perform their own work. If you composed the piece and delivered it yourself, select this type so you are credited in both roles.