A Glimpse of the Study and Appreciation of

Literature
What is Literature?

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• Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken
material. Derived from the Latin litteratura meaning "writing formed
with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the creative
imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, journalism,
and in some instances, song.  
Why do we read literature?
• Literature represents the culture and tradition of a language or a
people. It's difficult to precisely define, though many have tried, but it's
clear that the accepted definition of literature is constantly changing
and evolving. ( write as Assignment)
• For many, the word literature suggests a higher art form, merely
putting words on a page doesn't necessarily mean creating literature.
A canon is the accepted body of works for a given author. Some
works of literature are considered canonical, that is culturally
representative of a particular genre.

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 Why is literature important?
 
• Works of literature, at their best, provide a kind of blueprint
of human civilization. From the writings of ancient
civilizations like Egypt, and China, to Greek philosophy and
poetry;  from the epics of Homer to the plays of
Shakespeare, from Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte to
Maya Angelou, works of literature give insight and context to
all the world's societies. 
• Whatever critical paradigm we use to discuss and analyze it,
literature is important to us because it speaks to us, it is
universal, and it affects us on a deeply personal level. Even
when it is ugly, literature is beautiful.
• Examples: "The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to
write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect
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The 21st Century Reader

• grew up using technology as a primary
learning tool
• capable of navigating and interpreting
digital formats and media messages
• possesses literacy skills which include
technological abilities such as keyboarding,
internet navigation, interpretation of
technological speak, ability to communicate
and interpret coded language and decipher
graphics
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21st Century Literature

the coming of-age of millions of people who enjoyed
the works of writers such as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R.
Tolkien in their youths

1949 1937 1954

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THE EMERGING
LITERARY
GENRES IN THE
21st CENTURY
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 CHICK LITERATURE

a genre fiction which addresses

issues of modern womanhood,
often humorously, and
lightheartedly. Chick lit typically
features a female protagonist
whose womanhood is heavily
thematized in the plot.
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 CHICK LIT

2003 2005
2002 2004

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 SCIENCE FICTION

• a genre of fiction dealing with

imaginative content such as
futuristic setting, futuristic science
and technology, space travel, time
travel, faster than light travel,
parallel universes, and
extraterrestrial life.

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 SCIENCE FICTION

2007 2009 2012

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 References
• http://www.slideshare.net/darinjohn2/21s
t-century-literary-genres-by-calle-friesen?
qid=b3bf72e8-653b-40b1-8d59-
ba1a51c9ad6e&v=&b=&from_search=5
• http://www.slideshare.net/search/slidesho
w?
searchfrom=header&q=21st+century+litera
ture
• Images: google.com

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