what is literaturr?

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 and fiction.

Literature represents a language or a people: culture and tradition. But literature is more important than just a historical or cultural artifact. Literature introduces us to new worlds of experience. We learn about books and literature; we enjoy the comedies and the tragedies of poems, stories, and plays; and we may even grow and evolve through our literary journey with books.

Literature is not written to give the reader facts. It is not a report, but an opportunity for social practice (Jones). It enables the reader to examine thought and action compassionately. The reader can identify with a character and his story, allowing him to see life through the eyes of that character, and share the author’s insight (Reed).



The ultimate goal of literature is to understand others and ourselves. It provides the reader with clues to life itself. We may discover meaning in literature by looking at what the author says and how he/she says it.
We may interpret the author's message. This decoding of the text is often carried out through the use of literary theory, using a mythological, sociological, psychological, historical, or other approach.


References:
Jones, A. Wesley. "Why You Should Read Literature And How." U. Mary. 19 Nov. 2002
Reed, Beverly. "Reading Literature." The Book Bridge Project. Prince George CC. 19 Nov. 2002

lit·er·a·ture [lit-er-uh-cher, -choor, li-truh-]
Pronunciation[lit-er-uh-cher, -choor, li-truh-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays.
2. the entire body of writings of a specific language, period, people, etc.: the literature of England.
3. the writings dealing with a particular subject: the literature of ornithology.
4. the profession of a writer or author.
5. literary work or production.
6. any kind of printed material, as circulars, leaflets, or handbills: literature describing company products.
7. Archaic. polite learning; literary culture; appreciation of letters and books.

noun
1. creative writing of recognized artistic value
2. the humanistic study of a body of literature; "he took a course in Russian lit"
3. published writings in a particular style on a particular subject; "the technical literature"; "one aspect of Waterloo has not yet been treated in the literature"
4. the profession or art of a writer; "her place in literature is secure"

poems, novels, plays etc in verse or prose, especially if of fine quality
Arabic: أدَب
Chinese (Simplified): 文学作品
Chinese (Traditional): 文學作品
Czech: literatura
Danish: litteratur
Dutch: literatuur
Estonian: kirjandus
Finnish: kirjallisuus
French: littérature
German: die Literatur
Greek: λογοτεχνία
Hungarian: irodalom
Icelandic: bókmenntir
Indonesian: sastra
Italian: letteratura
Japanese: 文学
Korean: 문학 (작품)
Latvian: literatūra
Lithuanian: literatūra
Norwegian: litteratur
Polish: literatura
Portuguese (Brazil): literatura
Portuguese (Portugal): literatura
Romanian: literatură
Russian: художественная литература
Slovak: literatúra
Slovenian: književnost
Spanish: literatura
Swedish: litteratur
Turkish: edebiyat