Final answer:
The essay is not considered one of the three major traditional literary genres, which are poetry, drama, and fiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essay is not one of the three major traditional genres discussed in the text. The major traditional literary genres include poetry, drama, and fiction, with the latter encompassing forms such as short stories and novels. Essays, while important, do not constitute one of the primary genres as defined in the context of traditional literary taxonomy. Literature classes often explore these genres to understand the different methods of storytelling and expression used throughout literary history.