What Is Literature?
Define literature and distinguish its three major genres.
Literature is imaginative writing that explores human experience.
- Define literature.
- Name the three major genres.
- Explain why literature matters.
Definition
Literature is written work valued for its artistic quality and its exploration of human life. It uses language creatively to tell stories, express feeling and ask questions.
The Genres
- Prose — novels and short stories, written in paragraphs.
- Poetry — verse with rhythm, imagery and compressed language.
- Drama — plays written to be performed by actors.
Why We Study It
Literature builds empathy, sharpens language and helps us understand our own society and others. It records history, values and conflict in a way that facts alone cannot.
A novel about a family in Lagos — prose.
A poem about the harmattan wind — poetry.
A play set in a village market — drama.
Practice
- Define literature in your own words.
- Name the three genres and give one example of each.
- Write two sentences on why literature is worth studying.
Recap
Literature is imaginative writing in prose, poetry or drama that explores human experience.
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Elements of Literature
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