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Questions and Answers
What distinguishes prose from poetry?
What distinguishes prose from poetry?
Which period saw a more restricted sense of the term 'literature' emerge?
Which period saw a more restricted sense of the term 'literature' emerge?
What is the etymological origin of the term 'literature'?
What is the etymological origin of the term 'literature'?
How has contemporary debate shifted regarding the definition of literature?
How has contemporary debate shifted regarding the definition of literature?
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What forms of analysis are included in the reading of literature?
What forms of analysis are included in the reading of literature?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the definition of literature?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the definition of literature?
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Which civilization is credited with the earliest known production of written works?
Which civilization is credited with the earliest known production of written works?
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What is a masterpiece generally characterized by?
What is a masterpiece generally characterized by?
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Study Notes
Defining Literature
- Literature, broadly, encompasses any written work.
- Historically, in Western Europe before the 18th century, literature encompassed all books and writings.
- The Romantic period marked a shift, where literature became more specifically defined as "imaginative" literature.
- The term 'literature' derives from the Latin litaritura/litteratura, meaning "writing formed with letters."
- Some definitions also include spoken or sung texts.
Prose vs Poetry
- Prose utilizes ordinary syntax and natural speech, lacking rhythmic structure.
- Prose is measured in sentences, while poetry is measured in lines.
- Poetry uses aesthetic qualities of language and rhythm to evoke meanings, sometimes in addition to, or instead of, literal meaning.
Masterpiece Definition
- A masterpiece is a creative work that has received significant critical acclaim, often considered the finest example of its kind.
- It demonstrates outstanding creativity, skill, and workmanship.
Function of Reading
- "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies... The man who never reads lives only one." - George R.R. Martin
- Reading expands one's experiences and understanding, essentially allowing one to "live" many lives.
Contemporary Literary Definitions
- Contemporary debates about literature are moving towards a broader, more inclusive understanding than previously held.
- Cultural studies, for example, analyze popular and minority genres alongside canonical works, broadening the scope of what is considered literature.
Origins of Literature
- Written literature emerged in ancient civilizations, like Egypt and Sumeria, as early as the 4th millennium BCE.
- Some early works were based on pre-existing oral traditions.
- Literature can also include spoken or sung texts, predating written forms.
Categorizing Literature
- Literature can be categorized by historical periods or by adhering to certain aesthetic or expected features (genre).
- Examples of major forms include novels, short stories, and plays (drama).
Methods of Reading Literature
- Various strategies are used to fully engage with literary works, including, summarizing, evaluating, explaining the text, discussing various interpretations, scanning, skimming, previewing, critical thinking, and assessing the context.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of literature, including its historical development and distinctions between prose and poetry. This quiz delves into the definition of a masterpiece and the qualities that elevate a work to this status. Test your knowledge of literary terms and concepts!
