COMMENTS

  1. Literature

    Literature is a a body of written works. The name has traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution. It may be classified according to a variety of systems, including language and genre.

  2. Literature

    Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially novels, plays, and poems, and including both print and digital writing. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, much of which has been transcribed. Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and ...

  3. English literature

    The term 'English literature' refers to the body of written works produced in the English language by inhabitants of the British Isles from the 7th century to the present, ranging from drama, poetry, and fiction to autobiography and historical writing. Landmark writers range from William Shakespeare and Arundhati Roy to Jane Austen and Kazuo Ishiguro.

  4. Literature

    Literature (from the Latin Littera meaning 'letters' and referring to an acquaintance with the written word) is the written work of a specific culture, sub-culture, religion, philosophy or the study of such written work which may appear in poetry or in prose. Literature, in the west, originated in the southern Mesopotamia region of Sumer (c. 3200) in the city of Uruk and flourished in Egypt ...

  5. What is Literature? || Definition & Examples

    Let's start with the word itself. "Literature" comes from Latin, and it originally meant "the use of letters" or "writing.". But when the word entered the Romance languages that derived from Latin, it took on the additional meaning of "knowledge acquired from reading or studying books.". So we might use this definition to ...

  6. 1.1: What is Literature?

    Literature is art, but with words. While the artist uses different colors, paintbrushes, mediums, canvases, and techniques, the writer uses different genres and literary techniques called literary devices. Just like different types of paint, paintbrushes, and artistic tools, there are literally hundreds of literary devices, but some of the most ...

  7. 1.6: Defining Literature

    Literature, in its broadest sense, is any written work. Etymologically, the term derives from Latin litaritura/litteratura "writing formed with letters," although some definitions include spoken or sung texts. More restrictively, it is writing that possesses literary merit. Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or ...

  8. Defining Literature

    Literature, in its broadest sense, is any written work.Etymologically, the term derives from Latin litaritura/litteratura "writing formed with letters," although some definitions include spoken or sung texts. More restrictively, it is writing that possesses literary merit. Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction and whether it is poetry or prose.

  9. What is Literature

    Literature. Definition: Literature refers to written works of imaginative, artistic, or intellectual value, typically characterized by the use of language to convey ideas, emotions, and experiences. It encompasses various forms of written expression, such as novels, poems, plays, essays, short stories, and other literary works.

  10. Literature

    Literature is a body of work that transmits culture. Much of literature is written, but some are also visual (such as plays) and oral (such as folktales). Major forms of literature are nonfiction ...

  11. Literature

    Literature - Creative Writing, Genres, Forms: If the early Egyptians or Sumerians had critical theories about the writing of literature, these have not survived. From the time of Classical Greece until the present day, however, Western criticism has been dominated by two opposing theories of the literary art, which might conveniently be called the expressive and constructive theories of ...

  12. What Literature Can Teach Us

    What Literature Can Teach Us. Communication and research skills—and how to be a better human being. Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the Latin word literature meaning "writing formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry ...

  13. What Are the Different Genres of Literature? A Guide to 14 Literary

    A Guide to 14 Literary Genres. Fiction refers to a story that comes from a writer's imagination, as opposed to one based strictly on fact or a true story. In the literary world, a work of fiction can refer to a short story, novella, and novel, which is the longest form of literary prose. Every work of fiction falls into a sub-genre, each with ...

  14. 1.2: Why Read and Write About Literature?

    Benefits of Literature. Studies show reading literature may help. promote empathy and social skills (Castano and Kidd) alleviate symptoms of depression (Billington et al.) business leaders succeed (Coleman) prevent dementia by stimulating the mind (Thorpe) These are just a few of the studied benefits of literature.

  15. Introduction to Literature: What? Why? How?

    One is that "fiction" and "literature" are regarded as quite different things. "Fiction," for example, is what people read for enjoyment. "Literature" is what they read for school. Or "fiction" is what living people write and is about the present. "Literature" was written by people (often white males) who have since died ...

  16. What Is Literature and Why Do We Study It?

    Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment, and can also have a social, psychological, spiritual, or political role.". This definition is well-suited for our purposes here because throughout this course, we will be considering several types of literary texts in a variety of contexts.

  17. What is Considered Literature: An Essential Guide to Understanding

    Literary criticism is an essential aspect of evaluating literature. It involves examining a written work, such as an article, biography, or information leaflet, to assess its quality, meaning, and impact on the reader.

  18. How to Write a Literature Review

    Examples of literature reviews. Step 1 - Search for relevant literature. Step 2 - Evaluate and select sources. Step 3 - Identify themes, debates, and gaps. Step 4 - Outline your literature review's structure. Step 5 - Write your literature review.

  19. Writing about Literature

    When writing a paper, focus on analyzing the work, not celebrating it. Instead of telling your reader that a given work is beautiful, lyrical, or timeless, focus on the ideas the text conveys and the ways it goes about conveying them. You may come across a line in a poem or novel that is so beautiful, or so sloppy, that you cannot resist ...

  20. Literature Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of LITERATURE is writings in prose or verse; especially : writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest. How to use literature in a sentence.

  21. What is a Literature Review? How to Write It (with Examples)

    A literature review is a critical analysis and synthesis of existing research on a particular topic. It provides an overview of the current state of knowledge, identifies gaps, and highlights key findings in the literature. 1 The purpose of a literature review is to situate your own research within the context of existing scholarship ...

  22. American literature

    American literature, the body of written works produced in the English language in the United States.. Like other national literatures, American literature was shaped by the history of the country that produced it. For almost a century and a half, America was merely a group of colonies scattered along the eastern seaboard of the North American continent—colonies from which a few hardy souls ...

  23. 10 Longest Pieces of Literature

    This piece of literature is more of a written piece of abstract art, made to challenge the usual conventions and expectations of what a book should be. The Blah Story also knocks out a series of other notable feats, such as including the world's longest made-up word in print, the longest sentence, and the world's longest poem .

  24. Writing a Literature Review

    WRITING TIP: As you are writing the literature review you will mention the author names and the publication years in your text, but you will still need to compile comprehensive list citations for each entry at the end of your review. Follow APA, MLA, or Chicago style guidelines, as your course requires. Writing the conclusion:

  25. 101 Famous Authors And Greatest Writers Of All Time

    Although he was primarily a novelist and essayist, Baldwin's written work is comprised of many genres, including novels, short stories, essays, songs, children's literature, poetry and drama.

  26. Am the Literary Asshole For Wanting to Tell People Their Writing Sucks?

    When it comes to books and art, people have wide and varied tastes. Writing spans the gamut, doesn't it? We all exist together on the Lord's Fiery Internet. On any given day, I'll encounter writing that makes me feel uplifted, bewildered, amused, angry, frustrated, joyful, and sometimes nearly comatose with boredom.

  27. The Best American Short Stories of 2024 (Remote)

    Series editor Heidi Pitlor reads a year's worth of stories published in literary and mainstream periodicals then asks a distinguished guest author to choose his/her favorites. We'll read the 20 stories Lauren Groff (author of Fates and Furies, Florida, and The Vaster Wilds) selected for the 2024 edition.

  28. Writing Professor Tahneer Oksman Publishes Graphic Novel Review in NPR

    Associate Professor of Writing, Literature, and Language and Communication and Media Arts Tahneer Oksman, Ph.D., has published her third book review of 2024 on NPR! Reviewing Jonathan Todd's debut graphic novel , Timid , Oksman writes:

  29. A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review

    Writing a faulty literature review is one of many ways to derail a dissertation. This article summarizes some pivotal information on how to write a high-quality dissertation literature review. It begins with a discussion of the purposes of a review, prese nts taxonomy of literature reviews, and then discusses the steps in conducting a ...

  30. Not just a book: What is a Gutenberg Bible? And why is it relevant 500

    It's written in Latin and printed in double columns, with 42 lines per page. RELATED COVERAGE Ultra-Orthodox protest against order to enlist in Israeli military turns violent in Jerusalem. Bulgaria's Orthodox Church elects a new patriarch with pro-Russian views. Female suicide bombers kill at least 18 in coordinated attack in Nigeria ...