Outline of literature

Written works of art From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to literature:

Literature is any collection of written work. The term is also used more narrowly for writings considered an art form, especially novels, plays, and poems. It includes both print and digital writing. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, much of which has been transcribed. Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment. It can also have a social, psychological, spiritual, or political role.

See also the Outline of poetry.

What type of thing is literature?

Literature can be described as all of the following:

  • Communication – activity of conveying information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space.
    • Written communication (writing) – representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols (known as a writing system).[1]
  • Subdivision of culture – shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization, or group.
    • One of the arts – imaginative, creative, or nonscientific branch of knowledge, especially as studied academically.[2]

Essence of literature

Forms of literature

See also: Literary genre, List of writing genres, and List of genres

Oral literary genres

Oral literature

Written literary genres

Main articles: Poetry and Prose

Non-fiction

Non-fiction

Fiction genres

Fiction

Inspirational fiction (religious literature) –

Literature by region and country

Asia

Europe

See also: Western literature

Middle East and North Africa

North and South America

Oceania

Sub-Saharan Africa

See also: African literature

History of literature

History of literature

Literature by written language

Literature by century

Literature by year

General literature concepts

See also: Index of literary terms and Glossary of poetry terms

Literary awards

Persons influential in the field of literature

Literature creation

Literature distribution

See also

References

External links

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