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The collective writings proper to any language or nation. World literature includes all these in translation. The term literature is a site of ideological conflict; it may be taken to refer exclusively to those canonical works in the established genres which 'have pleased many and pleased long' (Dr Johnson), or inclusively to the sum total of writings which are read, even the most ephemeral, such as comics and newspapers. Essays, letters, memoirs, historical, biographical and travel writings, occasional verse, etc, will be considered 'literature' depending on the point of view. Fundamental questions are addressed by Jean-Paul Sartre in What is Literature? (1948), and by contemporary cultural critics. The term is also used to refer to the body of secondary writings on a given subject, as in 'medical literature', 'ornithological literature'.
Literature is a body of written (or oral) works, such as novels, poems, or plays, that use words to stimulate the imagination and confront the reader with a unique vision of life. A work of literature is a creative, universal form of expression that addresses the emotional, spiritual, or intellectual concerns of humanity.
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Drama
A play is a common literary form, usually consisting chiefly of dialog between characters, and usually intended for performance rather than reading. However, many scholars study plays in this more academic manner, particularly classical plays such as those of Shakespeare. The term play refers both to the written works of dramatists and to the complete theatrical performances of such. Fiction
As a branch of literature, fiction is concerned with works in which the details of the story are created by the imagination of the writer instead of being taken from fact. Usually written in a prose format, these works are most commonly in the form of novels or short stories. Poetry
Poetry is a literary work meant to be read or spoken, relying strongly on word choice, sounds, and imagery to create a mood in the audience's mind or ear which may be romantic, ominous, wistful, sensual, inspiring, or daring. Poetry, also known as verse, may be defined in opposition to prose, which is language which is meant to convey meaning, with lesser emphasis on mood, word choice, and exact form of expression. Prose can be spontaneous, whereas poetry must usually be composed with care over a period of time. ShortStory
The short story, as a form in writing, is prose writing of less than 20,000 words and usually more than 500 words. It typically involves one situation and shows the changes in the character or characters resulting from that event. |
Fantasy
Fantasy stirs the imagination and leads to questioning our assumptions of the world. Many young readers first discover that reading is enjoyable when then find the right series of books and these are often in a fantasy world. It includes such works as Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series. Novel
A novel is an invented story about a series of connected events in the lives of a group of people. Writers of novels are often referred to as novelists.It is a relatively recent genre, dating from mainly the early 18th century. Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is considered by many to have been the greatest writer the English language has ever known. As a playwright, he wrote not only some of the most powerful tragedies, but also many of the funniest comedies ever to appear on an English stage. He also wrote 154 sonnets and several major poems. What is Literature
Literature is a body of written (or oral) works, such as novels, poems, or plays, that use words to stimulate the imagination and confront the reader with a unique vision of life. A work of literature is a creative, universal form of expression that addresses the emotional, spiritual, or intellectual concerns of humanity. Literature can be experienced privately, for example when we read a poem in the quiet of our own room, or publicly, such as when we attend a play. Literature is often thought of as a written form of expression, but there are many strong oral traditions in both aboriginal and modern societies. |
