Literature, is any single body of written works.

More restrictively, literature is writing that is considered to be an art form,

or any single writing deemed to have artistic or intellectual value, often due to deploying 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). The concept has
changed meaning over time: nowadays it can broaden to have 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.
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).
Simon and Delyse Ryan attempt to answer the question "What is Literature?" with the observation:
The quest to discover a definition for "literature" is a road that is much travelled, though the point of arrival, if ever
reached, is seldom satisfactory. Most attempted definitions are broad and vague, and they inevitably change over time. In
fact, the only thing that is certain about defining literature is that the definition will change. Concepts of what is literature
change over time as well.
Definitions of literature have varied over time: it is a "culturally relative definition". In Western Europe prior to the
eighteenth century, literature denoted all books and writing. A more restricted sense of the term emerged during
the Romantic period, in which it began to demarcate "imaginative" writing. Contemporary debates over what constitutes
literature can be seen as returning to older, more inclusive notions; Cultural studies, for instance, takes as its subject of
analysis both popular and minority genres, in addition to canonical works.
The value judgment definition of literature considers it to cover exclusively those writings that possess high quality or
distinction, forming part of the so-called belles-lettres ('fine writing') tradition. This sort of definition is that used in
the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910–11) when it classifies literature as "the best expression of the best
thought reduced to writing." Problematic in this view is that there is no objective definition of what constitutes "literature":
anything can be literature, and anything which is universally regarded as literature has the potential to be excluded, since
value judgments can change over time. The formalist definition is that "literature" foregrounds poetic effects; it is the
"literariness" or "poetic" of literature that distinguishes it from ordinary speech or other kinds of writing (e.g., journalism).
Etymologically, the term derives from Latin literatura/litteratura "learning, a writing, grammar," originally "writing formed
with letters," from litera/littera "letter". In spite of this, the term has also been applied to spoken or sung texts.
Literature is a term used to describe written or spoken material. Broadly speaking, “literature” is used to describe
anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works, but the term is most commonly used to refer to works
of the creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction.
Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the Latin
word litteratura meaning "writing formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination,
including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, journalism, and in some instances, song. Literature represents the culture and
tradition of a language or a people.
The concept is difficult to precisely define, though many have tried, but it's clear that the accepted definition of literature is
constantly changing and evolving. For many, the word literature suggests a higher art form; merely putting words on a
page doesn't necessarily mean creating literature. A canon is the accepted body of works for a given author. Some works
of literature are considered canonical, that is, culturally representative of a particular genre.

3 Major Forms

Poetry is a form of literary art which uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to,
or in place of, not fanciful ostensible meaning. As a form it may pre-date literacy, with the earliest works being composed
within and sustained by an oral tradition; hence it constitutes the earliest example of literature.

Prose is a form of language that possesses ordinary syntax and natural speech rather than rhythmic structure; in which
regard, along with its measurement in sentences rather than lines, it differs from poetry. On the historical development of
prose, Richard Graff notes that "[In the case of Ancient Greece] recent scholarship has emphasized the fact that formal
prose was a comparatively late development, an "invention" properly associated with the classical period".

Novel: a long fictional prose narrative. It was the form's close relation to real life that differentiated it from the chivalric
romance; in most European languages the equivalent term is roman, indicating the proximity of the forms. In English, the
term emerged from the Romance languages in the late fifteenth century, with the meaning of "news"; it came to indicate
something new, without a distinction between fact or fiction. Although there are many historical prototypes, so-called
"novels before the novel",the modern novel form emerges late in cultural history — roughly during the eighteenth
century. Initially subject to much criticism, the novel has acquired a dominant position amongst literary forms, both
popularly and critically.

Novella: in purely quantitative terms, the novella exists between the novel and short story; the publisher Melville
House classifies it as "too short to be a novel, too long to be a short story".There is no precise definition in terms of word
or page count. Literary prizes and publishing houses often have their own arbitrary limits, which vary according to their
particular intentions. Summarising the variable definitions of the novella, William Giraldi concludes "[it is a form] whose
identity seems destined to be disputed into perpetuity". It has been suggested that the size restriction of the form
produces various stylistic results, both some that are shared with the novel or short story, and others unique to the form.

Short story: a dilemma in defining the "short story" as a literary form is how to, or whether one should, distinguish it from
any short narrative; hence it also has a contested origin, variably suggested as the earliest short narratives (e.g.
the Bible), early short story writers (e.g. Edgar Allan Poe), or the clearly modern short story writers (e.g. Anton
Chekhov). Apart from its distinct size, various theorists have suggested that the short story has a characteristic subject
matter or structure; these discussions often position the form in some relation to the novel.
Drama is literature intended for performance. The form is often combined with music and dance, as in opera and musical
theatre.

Importance/relevance/importance

Literature is important in everyday life because it connects individuals with larger truths and ideas in a
society. Literature creates a way for people to record their thoughts and experiences in a way that is accessible to others,
through fictionalized accounts of the experience.
Literature is the foundation of life. It places an emphasis on many topics from human tragedies to tales of the ever-popular
search for love. While it is physically written in words, these words come alive in the imagination of the mind, and its ability
to comprehend the complexity or simplicity of the text. Literature enables people to see through the lenses of others, and
sometimes even inanimate objects; therefore, it becomes a looking glass into the world as others view it. It is a journey
that is inscribed in pages, and powered by the imagination of the reader. Ultimately, literature has provided a gateway to
teach the reader about life experiences from even the saddest stories to the most joyful ones that will touch their hearts.
Literature is important and necessary. It provides growth, strengthens our minds and gives us the ability to think outside
the box.
Works of literature, at their best, provide a kind of blueprint of human civilization. From the writings of ancient civilizations
like Egypt, and China, to Greek philosophy and poetry, from the epics of Homer to the plays of Shakespeare, from Jane
Austen and Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, works of literature give insight and context to all the world's societies. In
this way, literature is more than just a historical or cultural artifact; it can serve as an introduction to a new world of
experience.
Expanding horizons First and foremost, literature opens our eyes and makes us see more than just what the front door
shows. It helps us realize the wide world outside, surrounding us. With this, we begin to learn, ask questions, and build
our intuitions and instincts. We expand our minds.
Building critical thinking skills Many of us learn what critical thinking is in our language arts classes. When we read,
we learn to look between the lines. We are taught to find symbols, make connections, find themes, learn about characters.
Reading expands these skills, and we begin to look at a sentence with a larger sense of detail and depth and realize the
importance of hidden meanings so that we may come to a conclusion.
A leap into the past History and literature are entwined with each other. History is not just about power struggles, wars,
names, and dates. It is about people who are products of their time, with their own lives. Today the world is nothing like it
was in the 15th century; people have changed largely. Without literature, we would not know about our past, our families,
the people who came before and walked on the same ground as us.
Appreciation for other cultures and beliefs Reading about history, anthropology, or religious studies provides a
method of learning about cultures and beliefs other than our own. It allows you to understand and experience these other
systems of living and other worlds. We get a view of the inside looking out, a personal view and insight into the minds and
reasoning of someone else. We can learn, understand, and appreciate it.
Better writing skills When you open a book, when your eyes read the words and you take in its contents, do you ask
yourself: How did this person imagine and write this? Well, many of those authors, poets, or playwrights used literature to
expand their writing.
Addressing humanity All literature, whether it be poems, essays, novels, or short stories, helps us address human
nature and conditions which affect all people. These may be the need for growth, doubts and fears of success and failure,
the need for friends and family, the goodness of compassion and empathy, trust, or the realization of imperfection. We
learn that imperfection is not always bad and that normal can be boring. We learn that life must be lived to the fullest. We
need literature in order to connect with our own humanity. Literature is important and necessary. It provides growth,
strengthens our minds and gives us the ability to think outside the box.

To gain a perception of life, an insight into the meaning of so many things. It is this perception and insight that makes
literature worthwhile. If an individual can go beyond his or her actual experiences into literary experiences to draw upon
when navigating the world, she or he will have better abilities at navigating the world.

The study of literature is important because it, at its most basic, improves reading skills. From this involved reading of
quality literature a student then develops their writing skills, as the two go hand in hand (the best writers are avid readers,
typically). Beyond these basic benefits is the development of critical thinking and analysis skills through the study of
literature. The study of literature also helps students see the world - people, places, things, events - through different eyes
and by way of a different viewpoint. This contributes to a student forming and developing their own belief set, opinions,
views, and such. Good stories, whether novels, short stories, plays, or poems, help students experience, in their mind,
new vistas, customs, cultures, and ways of life. This helps students see how life is different (and the same in some ways)
in other countries. Reading international literature gives students a glimpse of how people live and view life in other lands.
From a purely academic standpoint, reading literature of high quality helps a student discern good writing from bad
writing. This helps them in their own writing.

Literature takes students out of their own lives and lets them experience things that are new and challenging, and
encourages them to imagine possibilities and to think about ways the world could be different. Few textbooks could be
said to do the same thing.

Cultural Value
Stories have been of central importance to the human race ever since it began, as far as we can tell. Cultures are built on
stories—histories, myths and legends, fables, religions, and so on. If students are to understand and participate in the
culture to which they belong, they must first learn about the stories that culture has been built around. And while books
aren’t the only kinds of stories out there, they are one of the most important.
Expanding Horizons
Everyone has a tendency to get so caught up in their own lives that they forget what’s going on in the world around them.
And children and teens are particularly prone to this. It’s a goal of education to expose them to ideas from other cultures,
to teach them about the histories and peoples of other times and places. Literature is an ideal way to do this. Huckleberry
Finn, for example, puts students into the mind of a boy living in the south in the 1800s, letting them experience his life
firsthand. Through this experience they learn what it was like to live in that time period, how the people talked and thought
and acted.
The same goes for books about other countries, which teach students what life is like in other parts of the world. It’s more
engaging to read a novel about another time or place than to learn about it in a lecture or from a textbook. The Diary of
Ann Frank is a great example of this effect, since it exposes students American students to both a country and time period
not their own (and most likely a nationality and religion as well).
Building Vocabulary
Having a large and wide-ranging vocabulary is essential for a number of reasons. It helps with both writing and reading
abilities, of course, but it also allows for more complex discourse. The larger your vocabulary is, the more in depth and
thoughtful discussions you can have on important topics and issues, both in and outside of the classroom. When people
speak they tend to use a fairly limited vocabulary, so the best way to become exposed to new words is to read. And
reading literature is a great way to build and enhance vocabulary. Due to the descriptive nature of a story, any novel will
include plenty of words students have likely never seen or heard before. They’ll see those words in context, learning their
meanings passively rather than having to drill. And because they’re reading a story and not drilling, they probably won’t
even realize they are building their vocabulary (hence they won’t be able to complain about it).
Improving Writing Skills
Writing skills can be taught, to some extent. But the number one way to become a better writer is to read often. When you
read you are being immersed in language, in the way it sounds and feels when put together in the right ways. Students
who are encouraged to read have a more intimate knowledge of the ways in which language works, and so have an
advantage when it comes time for them to write. This effect can even be made transparent by encouraging students to try
writing in a particular book or author's style.
Many older works of literature are still taught primarily because of their authors’ way with language. Novels such as The
Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, and The Catcher in the Rye are noted for their unique style and creativity with language.
And there are plenty of more recent novels that are just as well written. Literature serves as a valuable teacher and an
example to students who are first learning to use written language to communicate with the world.
Teaching Critical Thinking
Education is supposed to give students the tools they need to become a valuable part of society, and one such tool is the
ability to think critically. We want them to not just passively consume whatever is around them, but to analyze and criticize
it as well. Literature serves this goal in a couple of ways. Many novels encourage critical thinking on their own, due to the
issues and themes they explore. The kind of novel usually taught in the classroom is selected for its depth and for the way
it transcends the obvious and the cliché.
And educators often use literature to promote this kind of thought actively, by teaching students how to analyze
what they read, understand others’ opinions about the text, and formulate their own views. You can learn to think
criticallyabout the events and characters in a novel, the themes it presents, the author’s purpose in writing it, and the ways
it fits into a certain time period. You can also analyze its impact on society and the ways it compares and contrasts with
other texts. Few activities give students’ critical abilities such a workout as the close reading of a work of literature.

Epic and Myth

E - An epic poem, epic, epos, or epopee is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing
details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. An "epic" is usually an epic poem. This is a long poem
that tells about the feats and adventures of a (usually legendary) hero.
The word epic is derived from the Ancient Greek adjective, “epikos”, which means a poetic story. In literature, an
epic is a long narrative poem, which is usually related to heroic deeds of a person of an unusual courage and unparalleled
bravery. In order to depict this bravery and courage, the epic uses grandiose style.
The hero is usually the representative of the values of a certain culture, race, nation or a religious group on whose victor
of failure the destiny of the whole nation or group depends. Therefore, certain supernatural forces, deus ex machina, help
the hero, who comes out victor at the end. An epic usually starts with an invocation to muse, but then up the threads of
the story from the middle and moves on to the end.
Epics were written to commemorate the struggles and adventures of kings and warriors. The main function of epic
poetry was to elevate the status of the hero among the audiences to inspire them to be ready to perform heroic actions.
Epic obtained most of its themes from the exploits performed by legendary characters and their illustrious ancestors. That
is why these exploits became examples for others to follow, and still lived in books. It is through epics, models of ideal
heroic behavior were supplied to the common people. Moreover, epics also were collections of historical events not
recorded in common history bookstory from the middle and moves on to the end.
In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem in elevated style presenting characters of high position in
adventures. The myth is an anonymous story or group of stories some prose others poetry formed from religious beliefs
and high heroics.
An epic is a very long poem that tells the life history of clearly identifiable protagonist(s). Epics are typically divided into
cantos (the poetic equivalent of chapters). Basically, anybody can write an epic. It is just a long poem that tells a story.
Epics are artforms that were invented in very ancient times as a form of public record as well as entertainment before
writing was invented. Because poetry has rhythm and rhyme, it is naturally easier to remember than prose. Also, epics
were also often set to music, drastically increasing its attractiveness and recall value. In addition to these, epics also relied
on grand narratives and hyperboles as storytelling devices. This is the reason that the word "epic" is used in modern
parlance as a synonym for narrative or general grandeur.

M - Myth is a legendary or a traditional story that usually concerns an event, or a hero, with or without using factual or real
explanations, particularly one concerning with demigods or deities, and describes some rites, practices and natural
phenomenon.
A myth is usually a story that talks about pre-history, or the origins of a culture. It usually involves gods, or
supernatural forces, or things that could not normally happen.
Typically, a myth involves historical events and supernatural beings. There are many types of myths such as
classic myths, religious myths, and mod Myth usually features ruling gods, goddesses, deities, and heroes having god-
like-qualities, but status lower than gods. Often, the daughter or son of a god (such as Percy Jackson) is fully mortal, and
these characters have supernatural abilities and powers that raise them above average human beings. Myths are mostly
very old, and happen to rule the world, when science, philosophy and technology were not very precise, as they are
today. Therefore, people were unaware of certain questions like why the color of sky is blue, or why night is dark, or what
are the causes of earthquakes etc. Thus, it was a myth that explained natural phenomena as well as described rituals and
ceremonies to the people.
Myths exist in every society, as they are basic elements of human culture. The main function of myths is to
teach moral lessons and explain historical records. Authors of great literary works have taken their stories and themes
from myths. Myths and their mythical symbols lead to creativity in literary works. We can understand a culture more
deeply and in a much better way by knowing and appreciating its stories, dreams and myths. Myths came before religions
and all religious stories are, in fact, retellings of global mythical themes. Besides literature, myths also play a great role in
science, psychology and philosophy.

Literary Criticisms
Literary criticism (or literary studies) is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary
criticism is often influenced by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of literature's goals and methods.
Though the two activities are closely related, literary critics are not always, and have not always been, theorists.
Whether or not literary criticism should be considered a separate field of inquiry from literary theory, or conversely
from book reviewing, is a matter of some controversy. For example, the Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and
Criticism draws no distinction between literary theory and literary criticism, and almost always uses the terms together to
describe the same concept. Some critics consider literary criticism a practical application of literary theory, because
criticism always deals directly with particular literary works, while theory may be more general or abstract.
Literary criticism is often published in essay or book form. Academic literary critics teach in literature departments
and publish in academic journals, and more popular critics publish their reviews in broadly circulating periodicals such as
the Times Literary Supplement, the New York Times Book Review, the New York Review of Books, the London Review of
Books, The Nation, and The New Yorker.
Literary criticism, the reasoned consideration of literary works and issues. It applies, as a term, to any
argumentation about literature, whether or not specific works are analyzed. Plato’s cautions against the risky
consequences of poetic inspiration in general in his Republic are thus often taken as the earliest important example of
literary criticism.
More strictly construed, the term covers only what has been called “practical criticism,” the interpretation of
meaning and the judgment of quality. Criticism in this narrow sense can be distinguished not only from aesthetics (the
philosophy of artistic value) but also from other matters that may concern the student of literature: biographical
questions, bibliography, historical knowledge, sources and influences, and problems of method. Thus, especially in
academic studies, “criticism” is often considered to be separate from “scholarship.” In practice, however, this distinction
often proves artificial, and even the most single-minded concentration on a text may be informed by outside knowledge,
while many notable works of criticism combine discussion of texts with broad arguments about the nature of literature and
the principles of assessing it.
Criticism will here be taken to cover all phases of literary understanding, though the emphasis will be on the
evaluation of literary works and of their authors’ places in literary history. For another particular aspect of literary
criticism, see textual criticism.

The art or practice of judging and commenting on the qualities and character of literary works.
Literary criticism is the academic study of the techniques used in the creation of literature.
The evaluation, study and discussion of literature
The literary theory is a boarder concept incorporating various strict senses and merits for the systematic study of the
nature of literature and provides a complete set of methods for analyzing literature.

TYPES - Literacy criticism includes various techniques of literature analysis which are widely used for critical essay writing
and drafting analysis for texts and materials against specific merits of evaluation.
An objective analysis makes uses the technique of independently investigating a particular subject matter with
reference to the existing facts, figures, events and background information. An objective analysis can also be referred to
as statistical interpolation, objective mapping, or systematic probing into a subject and is completely devoid of personal
feelings and viewpoint.
The traditional criticism approach examines you examine how the author’s life, his/her biographical
information, contemporary times and effect of his life circumstances on his inspiration and their reflection in his works.
This technique is commonly used in in general surveys of English literature. It includes a general analysis of the writers as
opposed to a detailed analysis of their individual works.
The new criticism approach is mostly used in poetry analysis and evaluates elements like diction, imagery,
stanza structure, verse form, meanings, particularly and complexities of meaning. This form of critical analysis refrains
from analyzing the biographical and historical context of a poem.
The sociological criticism approach deals with the direct analysis of society with reference to societal problems,
conflicts and contemporary issues. Areas of analysis typically include events, happenings, cultural trends and effects of
modernism.
The rhetorical criticism approach makes use of the technique of persuasion and aims to understand the
conveyance of the content of poetry and other works of art. It evaluates the angle of approach, presentation of arguments,
evidence and attitude.
The stylistic critical technique evaluates the manner of presentation for any work and focuses on the minor
details like diction, vocabulary, tone and various style elements.
A metaphorical critical analysis makes use of the use, nature, purpose and evaluation of metaphors used in
any work. The analysis probes into the meaning and illustration along with the message conveyed of the metaphorical
stance being used.
The structural critical analysis studies symmetry, trends and patterns for a particular society or for a societal
comparative analysis. of various societies. underlying patterns of symmetry which are held to be common to all societies.
Corroboration is drawn from sociology and anthropology, and the study techniques categorize and evaluate the work in
larger context rather than assessing its quality alone.
A biographical critical analysis evaluates a with a poem in terms of the reflection of the writer’s psychology, or
as biographical data piece. This kind of analysis focuses on the interrelationship of a particular work in context of
understanding the influences, inspiration and circumstances of the writer.
 In case of the Marxist critical analysis, poetry is analyzed on the basis of its political correctness and calls for
mention of support for workers against capitalist exploitation and perils of free market perils.
Historical criticism analyzes poem works in their historical context and evaluates the use of allusions, words,
phrases and diction along with conventions and expectations at the time of the written works produced.
Psychological critical analysis examine texts an works for the portrayal of sexual imagery and against other
Freudian concepts; struggles of the superego, the Oedipus complex, repressed contents of consciousness, etc. The
purpose of Freudian analysis is to highlight the existence of psychic conflicts rather than looking for aesthetical merits.
Mythological criticism evaluates content for instinctual and inmost emotions in human nature which are
influenced by certain events, happenings and character situations. The analysis is based on communal beliefs since
mythology is strongly derived from religious beliefs, anthropology, and cultural history.
The moral critical approach examines poetry and art works against standard ethical and civil criteria;
humanistic, societal impact, tolerance, equality, social justice and sensitivity. This approach adheres to the humanistic and
civil element in poems, dramas and other art work and evaluates the impact and influence of works of literature in a
stringent moral context.
Feminist critical analysis is concerned with the politics of women’s authorship, representation of the women’s
condition within literature. Origin of feminine criticism is originally derived from the classic works of 19th Century
women authors like George Eliot and Margaret Fuller. Based on the feminist theory, the feminist critical
evaluation analyzes elements like stereotypes of women, images of women in literature, literary mistreatment of women,
place of women in patriarchal societies and challenges faced by women in the modern era.