Introduction to Literature

Study Notes

Literature reflects the significant aspects of human life, similar to a mirror reflecting one's self-image.
Literature encompasses valued written works, including novels, plays, and poems. (Oxford Advanced Learners' English Dictionary definition)

Literature is a profound personal experience, meticulously crafted in detailed imagery through structure, stylistic choices, and rich metaphors.
Literature also embodies a collection of writings that depict societal class struggles.
Literature's value lies not only in its content but also in its form, emphasizing the importance of how the story is conveyed.

Literature enhances one's command of language.
Literature provides insights into the lives, cultures, and experiences of people globally.
Literature offers knowledge about far-flung parts of the world that one may never visit.
Literature provides amusement and entertainment.
Literature fosters wisdom and deepens one's understanding and judgment.
Literature encourages introspection and comparison of personal experiences with those of others.
Literature significantly contributes to language development through improved reading comprehension.

Genre, derived from the French word meaning "type" or "kind," categorized literary works.
English literature is classified into drama, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
- Drama genres include comedy, tragedy, and tragicomedy.
- Fiction examples encompass fantasy, folklore, historical accounts, and realism.
- Nonfiction examples include biography, autobiography, narrative, and periodicals.
- Poetry genres consist of lyric and dramatic poetry.
All written forms fall under either fiction or nonfiction.

Fiction is not factual but rooted in the author's imagination.
Fiction examples include plays, poems, short stories, and novels. (Examples referenced: Hamlet by Shakespeare, poems of Shakespeare, The little match girl by Hans Christian Andersen, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.)

Nonfiction is based on true events or documented facts.
Nonfiction examples include journals, magazines, newspapers, and books (e.g., historical accounts).

Prose and poetry are two key textual forms in American English.
Prose, drawn from the Latin word "prōsa," meaning "straightforward," is the most common type of writing. (Examples include newspapers, novels, and magazines)
Poetry, originating from the Latin word "poeta," focuses on aesthetic and evocative language beyond apparent meaning. Poetry often utilizes structured word arrangements to heighten the reader's emotional experience.

Prose does not usually employ rhyme or rhythm.
Prose is typically longer and structured in sentences and paragraphs.
Prose language frequently reflects everyday speech patterns.
Poetry commonly includes rhyme and rhythm.
Poetry tends to be condensed, using lines and stanzas instead of sentences.
Poetry often employs figurative language.
Prose is typically understood by reading once; poetry frequently requires repeated or thorough reading for full comprehension.