The main purpose of this article is to discuss the concept of genre (textual and/or discursive) in the light of three theoretical perspectives fairly widespread in the West, and which have significantly influenced research and the teaching of languages based on genres, especially in Brazil, namely the dialogical approach of the so-called Bakhtin Circle, the British approach known as English for Specific Purposes, and the American conception of Rhetorical Studies of Genres. The work presents a review of the literature, and closes with a discussion of the aspects that are common to the three theories.