Difference between revisions of "Literature"

Revision as of 12:13, 28 April 2016

Literature, in its broadest sense, consists of any written productions.

Description

More restrictively, it refers to those deemed to have artistic or intellectual value, or which deploy language in ways that differ from ordinary usage.

Its Latin root literatura/litteratura (derived itself from littera: letter or handwriting) was used to refer to all written accounts, though contemporary definitions extend the term to include texts that are spoken or sung (oral literature).

Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction and whether it is poetry or prose; it can be further distinguished according to major forms such as the novel, short story or drama; and works are often categorized according to historical periods or their adherence to certain aesthetic features or expectations (genre).

Modern concept

The concept has changed meaning over time.

Nowadays it can broaden to include non-written verbal art forms, and thus it is difficult to agree on its origin, which can be paired with that of language or writing itself.

Developments in print technology have allowed an evergrowing distribution and proliferation of written works, culminating in electronic literature.

See also

• Asemic writing
• Children's literature
• Cultural movement for literary movements
• English studies
• Ergodic literature
• Erotic literature
• Hinman collator
• Hungryalism
• Language
• Literature basic topics
• Literary agent
• Literature cycle
• Literary element
• Literary magazine
• Modern Language Association
• Orature
• Postcolonial literature
• Rabbinic literature
• Rhetorical modes
• Vernacular literature
• World literature
• Writing

External links

• Literature @ Wikipedia