Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose, fiction, drama, poetry,[1] and including both print and digital writing.[2] In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, also known as orature[3] much of which has been transcribed.[4][5] Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment, and can also have a social, psychological, spiritual, or political role.
Literature, as an art form, can also include works in various non-fiction genres, such as biography, diaries, memoir, letters, and essays. Within its broad definition, literature includes non-fictional books, articles or other written information on a particular subject.[6][7]
Etymologically, the term derives from Latin literatura/litteratura "learning, a writing, grammar", originally "writing formed with letters", from litera/littera "letter".[8] In spite of this, the term has also been applied to spoken or sung texts.[9][10] Literature is often referred to synecdochically as "writing", especially creative writing, and poetically as "the craft of writing" (or simply "the craft"). Syd Field described his discipline, screenwriting, as "a craft that occasionally rises to the level of art."[11]
Developments in print technology have allowed an ever-growing distribution and proliferation of written works, which now include electronic literature.
^"Literature: definition". Oxford Learner's Dictionaries. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
^Rettberg, Scott (2019). Electronic literature. Cambridge, UK Medford, MA: Polity press. ISBN 978-1-5095-1677-3.
^Kaboré, André (January 2015). "Orature as a Characteristic of the Literatures of Werewere- Liking and Pacéré".
^Goody 1987.
^Goody, Jack. "Oral literature". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2020.; see also Homer.
^Rexroth, Kenneth. "literature | Definition, Characteristics, Genres, Types, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
^OED[full citation needed]
^"literature (n.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
^Meyer, Jim (1997). "What is Literature? A Definition Based on Prototypes". Work Papers of the Summer Institute of Linguistics and University of North Dakota Session. 41 (1). Retrieved 11 February 2014.[dead link]
^Finnegan, Ruth (1974). "How Oral Is Oral Literature?". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 37 (1): 52–64. doi:10.1017/s0041977x00094842. JSTOR 614104. S2CID 190730645. (subscription required)
^Field, Syd (2005). "Introduction". Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Delta. ISBN 978-0440582731.
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