INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

What is the literature ? 

To explain the definition of literature needs a long discussion, but do not worry because I have concluded some definitions from few informations and you can be easily in understanding about it.

• Etymologically, the term derives from Latin literatura/litteratura "learning, a writing, grammar," originally "writing formed with letters," from litera/littera "letter". In spite of this, the term has also been applied to spoken or sung texts.

• Literature is composed of those books, and of those books only, which in the first, by reason of their subject matter and their mode of treating it, are of genial human interest; and in which in the second place, the element of form and the pleasure which focus give are to be regarded as essential (Budianta, et al,2002: 3-4).

• Literature can be defined as ‘pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays and poems’. (Oxford advanced learner’s English dictionary).

• “the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age, or the body of writings on a particular subject (scientific, art, etc) (Merriam webster’s dictionary and thesaurus).”

• Literature generally as any body of written works that is written and produced in any country, language or age for a specific purpose such as information, education or entertainment to the reader, which can be fictional or non-fictional in nature (Ignatius joseph estroga).

• When it classifies literature as “the best expression of the best thought reduced to writing.”(Encyclopedia Britannica Eleventh Edition 1910-11).

• Literature is a term used to describe written or spoken material. Broadly speaking, "literature" is used to describe anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works, but the term is most commonly used to refer to works of the creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction (Eddy Gurero).

• Literature is a road that is much travelled, though the point of arrival, if ever reached, is seldom satisfactory (dlibrary.acu.edu.au/staffhome/siryan/Academy/Foundation/What_Is_Literature.htm)

• literature considers it to cover exclusively those writings that possess high quality or distinction, forming part of the so-called belles-letter ('fine writing') tradition (The value judgment)

• literature (from lation litterae (plural); letter) is the art of works and is not bound to published sources (Wikipedia).

• Literature is a body of literary productions, either oral, written or visual containing imaginative language that realistically portrays thoughts, emotions and experiences of the human condition (regine). 

From those definitions, the writers concludes that the literature is pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays and poems with purpose as pleasure which focus give are to be regarded as essential.