The works to which the name Midrash is applied are the _Mechilta_ (to Exodus); the _Sifra_ (to Leviticus); the _Sifre_ (to Numbers and Deuteronomy); the _Pesikta_ (to various _Sections_ of the Bible, whence its name); the _Tanchuma_ (to the Pentateuch); the _Midrash Rabbah_ (the "Great Midrash," to the Pentateuch and the Five Scrolls of Esther, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs); and the _Midrash Haggadol_ (identical in name, and in contents similar to, but not identical with, the _Midrash Rabbah_); together with a large number of collected Midrashim, such as the _Yalkut_, and a host of smaller works, several of which are no longer extant.
Regarding the Midrash in its purely literary aspects, we find its style to be far more lucid than that of the Talmud, though portions of the Halachic Midrash are identical in character with the Talmud.

The Midrash has many passages in which the simple graces of form match the beauty of idea.

But for the most part the style is simple and prosaic, rather than ornate or poetical.

It produces its effects by the most straightforward means, and strikes a modern reader as lacking distinction in form.

The dead level of commonplace expression is, however, brightened by brilliant passages of frequent occurrence.