Introduction to Literature

What is Literature?

Literature from the Latin word ‘littera’ which means letter, is the art of written works – man’s compilation of written experiences blended into harmonious expressions.

What are the varied genres of Literature?

Prose consists of writing that does not adhere to any particular formal/ measured structure, thereby resembling everyday speech. The word prose comes from the Latin word ‘prosa’, which literally translates as straightforward, Adapted for discussions of facts and topical reading. Often is articulated as free form writing style, prose is commonly used for books, magazines, encyclopedia, broadcast media, films, letters, history, philosophy, biography, and many other forms of communications. The following are literary works which falls in category as prose:

-    Myths and Fairy Tales which refers to written adventures involving magic and whimsical creatures;

-    Short Stories which are short written tell-tales that may be fictional or true-based;

-   Novels which are longer stories with plots that may be about comedy, crimes, adventures, romance, politics, and others;

-    Folk Tales which are traditional stories that have been told and passed since ancient times;

-      Autobiographies and Biographies which are based on real life experiences and achievements;

-   Essays which are descriptive, lengthy, subject-oriented, and comparative narrations of a chosen subject;

-       Diaries which record routines and significant happenings, and

-       Journals which like diaries, record infinite informations.

Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling recollected in tranquility. Poems rely heavily on imagery, precise word choice and metaphor. Commonly, it takes form observing measure, pattern, and rhyme. The following are literary works which falls in category as poetry:

-      Sonnet which is short poem which consists of 14 lines grouped together;

-      Ballad which is on subject matters of love, and sung by the poet or group of singers;

-      Elegy which is a type of poem for lamenting death;

-      Ode which is a long and formal poem with a serious tone and nature;

-      Allegory which is a famous form of poetry that is loved by the readers for its literal and deep symbolical meaning;

-   Epic and Mock Epic which are narrative poems that convey moral and culture of a particular period; and

-       Lyric which converses in melody of imagery.