Literature

Literature broadly is all collection of written work, but this is the also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, particularly prose fiction, drama, & poetry. In recent centuries, a definition has expanded to include oral literature, much of which has been transcribed. Literature is a method of recording, preserving, & transmitting cognition and entertainment, and can also hit a social, psychological, spiritual, or political role.

Literature, as an art form, can also add workings in various non-fiction genres, such as biography, diaries, memoir, letters, and the essay. Within its broad definition, literature includes non-fictional books, articles or other printed information on a specific subject.

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. Developments in print technology make-up allowed an ever-growing distribution and proliferation of or situation. works, which now includes electronic literature.

Literature is classified according to whether it is for poetry, prose or drama, and such works are categorized according to historical periods, or their adherence toaesthetic features, or genre.

Definitions

Definitions of literature have varied over time. In Western Europe, prior to the 18th century, literature denoted all books and writing literature can be seen as returning to older, more inclusive notions, so that cultural studies, for instance, include, in addition to canonical works, popular and minority genres. The word is also used in quotation non-written works: to "oral literature" and "the literature of preliterate culture".

A value judgment definition of literature considers it as consisting solely of high brand writing that forms part of the belles-lettres "fine writing" tradition. An example of this in the 1910–11 Encyclopædia Britannica that classified literature as "the best expression of the best thought reduced to writing".