Literature Flashcards
The word “literature” can be used to refer to anything written
(Barnet, S. et.al)
Written works, especially those regarded as having artistic merit.
(Oxford)
Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material.
(Lombardi, E)
Literature can be defined as ‘pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially
novels, plays and poems’.
(Oxford Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary)
“the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age, or the body of
writings on a particular subject (scientific, art, etc.)”
(Merriam- Webster’s Dictionary and
Thesaurus).
Literary works involve written and oral accounts of humanity’s existence.
Divisions of Literature
Itis a division of literature which covers a literary work that is spoken or written within the common flow of language in sentences and in paragraphs which gives information, relate events, express ideas, or present opinions.
Prose
Prose have two sub-divisions:
Fiction and Non-Fiction
Itis a sub-division of prose which covers a literary work of imaginative narration, either oral
or written, fashioned to entertain and to make readers think and more so, to feel.
Fiction
It is a prose fiction which attempts to explain the origin of things, places, objects that we see around us.Example:The
Legend
Itis a short prose fiction narrative depicting a simple characterization and plot conveying a moral which can be read in one sitting.
Short Story
It is a very long prose narrative depicting complex characterization and plot which is usually divided into chapters.
Novel
Itis a long prose narrative similar to but shorter than a novel but longer than a short story. It is also known as____.
Novella and novelette
Itis a short prose fiction narrative depicting animal characters which espouses a lesson in life.
Fable
It is a short prose allegorical narrative which presents a philosophical outlook in life.
Parable
Itis a sub-division of prose which covers a literary work of “real life” narration or exposition based on history and facts whose main thrust is intellectual appeal to convey facts, theories, generalizations, or concepts about a particular topic.
Non-Fiction
Itis a prose non-fiction detailing the life of a person written by another
person.
Biography
Itis a prose non-fiction record of events that transpired in the past.
History
Itis a prose non-fiction narrative of events that happen everyday. The newspapers are written for this purpose.
News
Itis a personal account of significant events that happen in the life of a person.
Diary
Itis a prose non-fiction narrative that depicts a single incident in a person’s
life.
Anecdote
Itis prose non-fiction which is a formal treatment of an issue written from the writer’s personal point of view.
Essay
Itis a division of literature works which covers a literary work expressed in verse, measure, rhythm, sound, and imaginative language and creates an emotional response to an experience, feeling or fact. Traditionally, it has three sub-divisions namely: ____ , ____ , and ____
Poetry and Narrative poetry, Lyric poetry, and Dramatic poetry.