21st Century Literature Quiz

Defining Literature

• Literature encompasses written works with artistic merit, derived from the Latin "litaritura/litteratura" meaning “writing formed with letters.”
• Includes varying forms, potentially involving spoken or sung texts, emphasizing communication of significant human experiences over mere information.

Top 10 Most Read Books (Last 50 years)

• The Holy Bible and Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung dominate global readership.
• Notable literary works include:
  • Harry Potter series
  • The Lord of The Rings
  • The Alchemist
  • The Da Vinci Code
  • Twilight Saga
  • Gone With the Wind
  • Think and Grow Rich
  • The Diary of Anne Frank

21st Century Skills

• Critical Thinking: Essential for engaging with contemporary challenges and forming judgments.
• Self-reflexivity: High awareness of one's thoughts and feelings.
• Creativity: Adapting to situations and recognizing the beauty within literature.
• Research: Extending beyond basic knowledge through data gathering.

Importance of 21st Century Literature

• Literacy enhances community interaction and individual empowerment.
• Engaging with dynamic, multiple literacies is crucial for modern educational frameworks.

Characteristics of Literature

• Timelessness: Literature endures over generations.
• Universality: Appeals to diverse audiences globally.
• Insightful: Provides understanding of human nature and emotional relief (catharsis).
• Deliberate Craft: Writers purposefully select words to create imaginative works.

21st Century Literature

• Emergence of Manga: Japanese graphic novels, exploring themes relevant to youth.
  • Categories include:
    • Shonen (Boys) - e.g., Naruto
    • Shoujo (Girls) - e.g., Sailor Moon
    • Seinen (Men) - e.g., Akira
    • Josei (Women) - e.g., Loveless
    • Kodomo (Kids) - e.g., Doraemon
  • Emergence of Ameri-manga blends American comics with manga style.

Contemporary Literary Forms

• Doodle Fiction: Integrates drawings with writing for humor, exemplified by "Diary of a Whimpy Kid."
• Text-Talk Novels: Written as text messages, characterized by brevity and cliffhanger elements.
• Chick Lit: Focuses on modern womanhood issues, e.g., "When Life Gives You Lululemons."
• Flash Fiction: Extremely brief fictional narratives, showcasing concise storytelling.

21st Century Readers and Writers

• Must develop technological proficiency for effective communication.
• Emphasize collaborative problem-solving across cultures.
• Engage in analyzing and synthesizing varied information streams.
• Encourage creation and critique of literary works that reflect modern society.