DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
The definition of 20tefinition: performance in words
Modern definition:
literature as language artistically used to achieve identifiable literary qualities and to convey meaningful messages, characterized by beauty of expression and form and by universality, intellectual and emotional appeal.
SUMMARY OF LITERATURE’S DEFINITION
Literature is one form of art with imaginative or creative beauty involving the dynamic relationship between the object and the perceiver, in which the writers tell stories or create contexts by employing their imagination and expose their emotions and opinions in order to entertain and instruct the readers, while those who read their works can acquire knowledge, enlarge the horizon of their viewpoints and purify their feelings.
of wide reading, “literacy.”
The definition of 18th century:
Practice and profession of writing.
The definition of 19th century:
the high skills of writing in the special context of high imagination
WHAT IS LITERATURE
Two branches of human writing
Arts Science
Science: Based on seeking facts and truth.
It brings advantages to humankind and these advantages are valuable in our daily lives.
Man seeks truth because curiosity is in his nature.
Art, as one of its major function, seeks value in the beauty of creation.
Artists’ primary concern is to compose or produce works that are unique, that have quality, and that last forever.
HOW TO STUDY LITERATURE?
Historical study
Illustrate the historical development of literature.
Formal study
Be familiar with the elements of a literary work, eg: plot, character, setting, point of view, etc; answer some basic questions about the text itself.
Function of literature （readers’ response)
◦ To entertain ◦ To teach ◦ To think
DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
The definition of 14th century:
polite learning through reading. a man of literature or a man of letters = a man
Thematic analysis
What does a novel, a story, a poem, a play or an essay talk about?
APPRECIATION OF THE SELECTED READINGS IN BRITISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE
CONTENTS
What is the literature? Fiction Poetry Drama
PART ONE WHAT IS LITERATURE
Art is free because an artist has the freedom to imagine. Literature is considered as Art.
DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
Literature refers to pieces of work belonging to one of four major branches or genres:
◦ Fiction: short stories and novels . ◦ Non-Fiction: prose, biographies and autobiographies. ◦ Poetry: free verse, blank verse, sonnets, ballads, songs, etc. ◦ Drama: theatrical plays.