WHAT IS LITERATURE?
Starting our big question our group discussion posed the issue: 'What is literature and how will we define it?' In pondering this question we sent out a survey to find out how many people actually know how to describe literature. The responses we gathered were somewhat expected as most people defined literature as a simple written text:
" Literature is books." "Written words and language." "English and words that are written."
After further exploration into the topic we found the following definition:
Literature: Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit: "a great work of literature". (Dictionary.com)
There are many misconceptions about what literature is, asthe definition is influenced by perspective, and the reader holds different pieces of writing to different merits. Some of the defining features include:
1. Does it have a good story?
2. Does it leave a lasting impression?
3. Is it written in a sophisticated and eloquent manner?
4. Does it capture the essence or mood of a particular period in time (zeitgeist)?
Starting our big question our group discussion posed the issue: 'What is literature and how will we define it?' In pondering this question we sent out a survey to find out how many people actually know how to describe literature. The responses we gathered were somewhat expected as most people defined literature as a simple written text:
" Literature is books." "Written words and language." "English and words that are written."
After further exploration into the topic we found the following definition:
Literature: Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit: "a great work of literature". (Dictionary.com)
There are many misconceptions about what literature is, asthe definition is influenced by perspective, and the reader holds different pieces of writing to different merits. Some of the defining features include:
1. Does it have a good story?
2. Does it leave a lasting impression?
3. Is it written in a sophisticated and eloquent manner?
4. Does it capture the essence or mood of a particular period in time (zeitgeist)?