This document defines literature from different perspectives such as what people read, write, and the expressive use of language. Literature is described as the oral or written record of people's thoughts, ideas, and emotions that appeal universally over time. The aims of literature are to give pleasure, fire imagination and emotion, and refine and develop critical thinking. Qualities of literature include being permanent, value-laden, immortal, suggestive, artistic, having universal appeal, using dignified language, and giving insight into life. Literature can be classified based on knowledge or power and divided into prose, poetry, and fiction/non-fiction genres.

1. LITERATURE

2. • It has been defined from various
perspectives:
1. consumer’s point of view- it is
what people read
2. creative point of view– it is what
people write
3. linguistic point of view- it is the
language in its most expressive
form and style

3. LITERATURE
Oral or written record of a
man’s thoughts, ideas,
emotions and aspirations
which has stood the test of
time because of its
universality of appeal.
“Mirror of Life ”

4. AIMS OF LITERATURE
 To give pleasure

To fire one’s emotion/ imagination
To refine man’s emotion
To develop a critical mind

5. QUALITIES OF LITERATURE
1. PERMANENT
2, VALUE-LADEN
3. IMMORTAL
4. SUGGESTIVE
5. ARTISTIC
6. HAS UNIVERSALITY OF APPEAL
7. USES DIGNIFIED LANGUAGE
8. GIVES A GLIMPSE OF THE LIFE
HEREAFTER

6. CLASSIFICATIONS
Literature of
Knowledge
Literature of
Power

7. DIVISIONS OF LITERATURE
PROS
E
Fiction
Non-Fiction
POETRY
Narrative
Lyric
Dramatic

8. FICTION NONMyths
Folktales/Fables
Legends
Parables
Short Stories
Vignettes
Novel/Novelet
tes
Drama
FICTION
History
Diary/Journal
Autobiography/Biography
Essay/Treatise
Atlas/Almanac
News
Captain’s
Log
Experiments
Thesis
Letters

9. Genres of POETRY
Narrative
Traditional/Popular
Ballad
Lyric
Sonn
et
Ode
Elegy
Epic
Song
Metrical Tale
Hymn
Metrical Romance
Psalm
Modern
Idyll
Ballad
Dramatic
Monologue
Soliloquy
Shakespearean
Play
Passion Play
Melodrama
Character Sketch

10. Genres of POETRY
Narrative
Traditional/Popular
Ballad
Lyric
Sonn
et
Ode
Elegy
Epic
Song
Metrical Tale
Hymn
Metrical Romance
Psalm
Modern
Idyll
Ballad
Dramatic
Monologue
Soliloquy
Shakespearean
Play
Passion Play
Melodrama
Character Sketch