What+is+Literature?

Your first posting is to define Literature. I would like for all of you to search the web, books, albums, art, whatever you think represents literature, and add to **this page** your definition. Remember that if you "borrow" from outside sources that you must cite them in your post. I will get you started and give you an example. You may not use my example :)
 * What is Literature**

I think that literature is anything that can be read, whether it is text based, a visual reference, music, art - whatever speaks to me in a "poetic" fashion can serve as a type of literature. In this class, we will be concentrating on the textual side, but I encourage you all to branch out and think way outside the box. "**Literature** is a body of (usually) written works related by subject-matter, by language or place of origin, or by dominant cultural standards.[|[1]] Literally translated, the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from [|Latin] //littera// [|letter]). In Western culture the most basic literary types include [|poetry] and [|prose], [|fiction] and [|non-fiction]." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature **The Teach**

Literature to me is a combination of things, including short stories, poetry, fiction and non-fiction. I dont think it has one particular meaning but yet it has a combination of works that are put together to form a work of literature. Some writers have taken stories related to their own lives and wrote them into short stories or plays and they became a part of history. Teachers have their students read them in class just like some of the short stories we will read this semester. Literature comes in many forms and serve many purposes. I went to www.google.com and entered 'definition of literature' to use as my source. Natalie McGinnis

I like language and also I like to think of Literature as an art and not as something that is boring and not important. Wikipedia describes Literature as a body of written works related by subject-matter, by language or place of origin, or by dominant cultural standards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature Judith Ayala

Literature to me is a way getting out a mental idea. Some people draw, some people act, some people model. I believe that literature is portrayed in many ways, such as screen plays for movies, songs, a commercial, even a simple phrase or word on a billboard. Someone wants to say something and wants other to hear it. Literature can be proper or it can be informal. It to me can even be a letter you write to a friend, or a journal you write in. Just look at the Diary of Anne Frank, it was only a diary to her but to us it tells a story into a horrible life, a part of history only the ones who lived it could understand completely. Literature is a way into ones mind, a way to imagine thing you never thought possible. You mind is a complex thing and with the thought or idea it can imagine just about anything you allow it. Even a Man with 5 legs and a tail, and with literature there to describe it to you, you mind is able to make it real to you.

CIERA LOWRIMORE

I think of literature as more written work then visual. I also think of about works or literature from history more than up to date work. "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." http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm I really like this quote I found because I think it defines literature in a sentence. "Literature introduces us to new worlds of experience". http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm
 * Loran Bowers**

Literaure to me is something you read,but when I hear the word "literature" I think of things like short stories and plays from the past that you read in class. To me, literature isn't something I read for pleasure. 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. http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm [|Illustrated] stories, [|hypertexts], [|cave paintings] and inscribed [|monuments] have all at one time or another pushed the boundaries of "literature." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature
 * Julie Robinson**

Literature, like any art form, engages the reader in a complex set of emotional, symbolic, moral, intellectual and social considerations. Literature uses the normal means of communication -- language, images, symbols, codes, stories -- but uses them with more complexity and subtlety than is normal in everyday communication.

As well, it avails itself of a certain sensibility we have to such things as form, sensual experience, rhythm, repetition, contrast, which sensibility we call the 'aesthetic' (John Lye). http://www.brocku.ca/english/jlye/uses.html

I like this definition because it is how I feel as well. Literature is an art form just like music or art images. When we hear a tune or melody, it is music - period. No one questions if it is music. I tend to get irratated with people who will judge a piece and say it isn't "real literature". Literature can be anything that uses any type of symbols that can help us comprehended an idea or give meaning to life in general.
 * Stacey Pilkington**

I define literature as a collection of thoughts, ideas or emotions used to captivate a reader by planting a movie-like image in their minds. When I think of literature I think of something that intrigues me, brings out my emotional side, or causes me to wonder what's going to happen next wheather in a book, a song, or a play. Literature to me is not just words on paper.

"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). [|http://www.mgccc.edu/~jdlanguagearts/bosarge/Reference/reference.htm]

I chose Reed's definition of literature because it was very similar to mine in that you become the character through reading or hearing the words allowing you to become involved.
 * Heather Hart**

To me literature is everything that we read with the expection of the new paper. This says it all to for me in regards to my thoughts and feeling of "Literature, like any art form, engages the reader in a complex set of emotional, symbolic, moral, intellectual and social considerations." http://www.brocku.ca/english/jlye/uses.html
 * Sue Lampton**

I used to think that when I was younger that literature was only the collection of books that my eigth grade teacher sent home with me over my summer vaction to ruin my life, but as I grew older and wiser I relized that literature is much more than that. I think that it is any thing you read that brings a chalenage to the mind, a tear to your eye, and chuckle to yourself when no one else is around. I think it is anything that someone wrote in the expectation of receving an emotion from the reader that really makes them think about the words they are reading and to develop their own interpertation of the collection of words.
 * Amanda Stowe**

Literature to me is written for a certain subject. Each litearture you read usually has a symbolic meaning. It may be the mood of the author or composser that inspires their writing. Literature can be found in many places. To me, a commercial add could even be seen as literature. Something that catches the eye, something that has feeling in the reading or strong feeling in the music. Some great composser have written great literature pieces. Their pieces may include a feel of emotion. Literature is anything and everything that you can read to me. "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". ([|http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Literature)]
 * Kristen Evans**

"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." http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm

I think that literature can be anything that pertains to the creative mind. Literature is found in musical lyrics, many different forms of art, and the spoken word. Each individual creates their own form of literature everyday. The actions of our everyday lives could one day be written down, thus creating a work of literature.

I also found an article on a website called city-journal, and I found it very interesting! Check it out! http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_3_what_use.html
 * Amanda Marshall**

"Literature is written works of fiction and non-fiction in which compositional excellence and advancement in the art of writing are higher priorities than are considerations of profit and commercial appeal." ([|http://www.sedgeband.com/glossary.html)] I tend to agree with this definition. I have difficulty accepting that non written forms of communication or art are considered literature. These non-written forms of communication may move the observer, just as the written word. However, they should be labeled something else besides literature.
 * Marcia Hardin**

In the past, when I have heard the word literature I have always thought of written works. I have never thought of anything else as literature. However, in my research of the word literature I found these definitions. I went to [|www.ask.com] and typed in "what is the meaning of literature"? I went to the first site ask.com listed and the above definitions (courtesy of __The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition__Copyright © 2005, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated 2005.Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.) are what I found. Now I know that literature is more than just written works.
 * 1) The body of written works of a language, period, or culture.
 * 2) Imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value: //“Literature must be an analysis of experience and a synthesis of the findings into a unity”// (Rebecca West)
 * 3) The art or occupation of a literary writer.
 * 4) The body of written work produced by scholars or researchers in a given field: //medical literature.//
 * 5) Printed material: //collected all the available literature on the subject.//
 * 6) //Music// All the compositions of a certain kind or for a specific instrument or ensemble: //the symphonic literature.//
 * Alisa Ramsey**

My broad definition of literature is that it's pretty much everything you can read. This includes short stories, biographies, technical manuals, and writing on the back of Herbal Essences shampoo bottles. Everywhere I've looked up the word literature, in this case, [|dictionary.com], there seem to be definitions that cover pretty much every possible form of writing. However, when someone is using the word, more often than not they are referring to the first definition shown there:

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.

For the most part, it's one of those words with a definition that changes depending exactly who is talking about it.
 * Jeff Keys**

I think that my personal definition of Literature would have to be any work that was creatively written. Literature has such a broad range. I feel that literature reaches us more than anyone thinks. In my opinion the most used Literary device would have to be the ad slogan. Ads affect our everyday life whether it be from your new car purchase to the take out meal you took home last night. Literature is everywhere but it is up to you to seek it out and partake in its greatness.

Literature- 1)**:** writings in prose or verse; //especially// **:** writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest. [|Merriam Webster].
 * Kyle Clark**

I think literature can be anything that conveys some sort of information, idea, or feeling as long as its creator has an authority on its particular subject. It should have been published or professionally produced, and protected by copyright laws, but does not have to specifically contain the written word. All though I love books best, I think in the 21st century, film and music should be considered literature when it is informative and inspiring. “Literature is at once the cause and the effect of social progress.” [|George H. Lewes]. http://www.brainyquote.com/words/li/literature185325.html __**Melanie Hefner**__

Literature, in my opinion, is one's own perspective of a work that can come in many forms. For example, some consider Shakespeare's work literature and others do not. Literature is merely "printed material" that have different meanings to individuals. This is a broad term that can appear through books, magazines, the media to name a few. 2.Imaginative or creative writing, esp. of recognized artistic value [|http://home.mesastate.edu/~blaga/theoryindex/literaturex.html__], http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature, American Heritage College Dictionary.Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston, New York. 1997.
 * Michelle Osborne**

__To me literature is more like poems, stories, and short stories, and you learn something from it.. of you have to write a massive paper on it. I have never really thought of it to be something that I would do in my spare time. Maybe thats because I dont get to pick out what interestes me.
 * Kim Bertle**__

__The word literature is a very unique word. It has several meanings and can be interpreted in many ways. My definition of literature is any form of entertainment. Books plays, movies, and even TV shows are examples of literature. Here are a couple definitions of literature: Literature: Writings in prose or verse; //especially//: writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest. ([|http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/literature)] English Literature: Is the study of novels, poetry, plays - even film scripts. ([|http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/course/Q306/profile/What-is-English-literature)] Literature: 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 ([|http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm).] After reading these several meanings of literature it made me think that there is no true definition of literature. What I discovered interesting in my research was that literature is international. Each country in this world contributes its culture into the literary world.
 * Russell Scott**__

__I believe literature is any written material. It can be creative for reading pleasure or informative to gain knowledge.

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. http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm
 * Cindy Lowe**__

__Literature to me is a thick novel with hard to understand language. Something I would not read for fun. However, I found this definition that makes it a sound a little more like something I would read.

http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm
 * "Literature"** is a term used to describe written or spoken material. Broadly speaking, "literatrue" is used to describe anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works, but the term is mostly used to refer to works of the creative imagination, including works of poetry, drams, fiction, and nonfiction.
 * Wendi Summerlin**__

__I think that any different definition for literature can be true if it pertains to something that is written or spoken for entertainment or informative purposes. It can consist of novels, plays, epics, etc. I can contain elements from the past or present and is always written to spark the interests of its readers. A website on the internet I think best defines literature as "works of the creative imagination." This quote I believe sums up the most simple definition of literature. http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm
 * David Stamey**__

__Websters Intermediate Dictionary defines literature as "writings in prose or verse, esp. writings having permanent interest or value". I thing this defintion is well written because the literature that will be studied and remembered has permanent interest or value. There are many works of writing that I would not consider literature because they do not last and are soon forgotten. A true work of literature will stand the test of time.
 * Laura Robinson**__

__I think of Literature as anything that is written with intent to be read by someone else. Literature helps define people and the thoughts of their time. I found a good explanation of literature at this website... http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/higher/gaelic/literature/what_is_literature_rev.shtml It says: "//Literature is literally "an acquaintance with letters" as in the first sense given in the Oxford English Dictionary (from the Latin littera meaning "an individual written character (letter)"). The term has generally come to identify a collection of texts. The word "literature" as a common noun can refer to any form of writing, such as essays or poetry; "Literature" as a proper noun refers to a whole body of literary work, world-wide or relating to a specific culture...."//
 * Jimmy Culberson**__

__Literature is a written work with artistic value. Written works, e.g. fiction, poetry, drama, and criticism, which are recognized as having important or permanent artistic value? It is also a body of written works of a culture, language, people, or period of time. A body of published work concerned with a particular subject. It can also be a body of musical compositions for a particular instrument of group of instruments. It is printed matter such as brochures or flyers that give information. It is also the creation of literary work, especially as an art or occupation. **Literature** is a body of (usually) written works related by subject-matter, by language or place of origin, or by dominant cultural standards.[|[1]] Literally translated, the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from [|Latin] //littera// [|letter]). In Western culture the most basic literary types include [|poetry] and [|prose], [|fiction] and [|non-fiction]. See also Encarta Dictionary.

In short I think the definition of **Literature** is material that is written or otherwise, that informs, entertains, tells a story, states a personal point of view or that simply tells a story using perfect or imperfect rhetoric.
 * Lillya Glenn**__

__I think that literature is basically any written works, except like the newspaper and entertainment magazines. I think that some plays and shows are literature but I mostly think of the written works when I first think of literature. The written works can be short stories or essays or historical poems and plays. Candace Nabinett__

__I am not by any means well rounded when it comes to the subject of English, literature, or reading to be honest. With that said I have always thought of literature as words that were written long ago. When I think of literature I think of stories like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. Something that is written today I think of as only a book or poem. Never did I think literature involved art. However, since studying and looking up literature to see exactly what it is I have found that I have been slightly right and mostly wrong. I have found that literature incorporates everything that has been written down in some form or another. But this concept neglects the fact that in many cultures in the past and for a number of indigenous peoples today, literature has not been captured in written media but has been passed down in a long oral tradition of storytelling, myths, ritual speeches, and art. Just through this simple assignment I have a better understanding of literature than I have had my whole life. http://www.anglistik.uni-freiburg.de/intranet/englishbasics/Basic01.htm
 * Joe Doster**__

__I like to think of literature as an art that is expressed in words but paints a picture of what is going on or acts itself out like a play in your mind. Literature also comes in many different forms like poems, short stories, etc... Lastly literature also means reading and writing in a learning fashion to better yourself throughout all of your educational career. Marcus Brendle__

__In my opinion, Literature ranges into a lot of different categories. Literature can be anything written or visual as far as in books, poems, short story's, plays or even art work. Art work is sometimes mysterious and that is how the artist expresses themselves. It also can mean something as simple as jotting down your thoughts in a journal to express how you feel. I know all of this just from taking different courses throughout college and even high school & the more I take the more I learn and broaden my thinking.
 * Nicole Britt**__

__Literature is anything written that explains a point. It can be as complex as a long story or book or as simple as an advertisement you see in a magazine or on a billboard.


 * James Westmoreland**__

__Literature is the art of using words to describe events, tell a story, define meanings, explain situations, portray, express, and illustrate as well as much more. Literature can be broken into two categories. The two categories being fiction and non-fiction. Of which both can be divided into sub-categories or genres which then include sun-genres. Fictional works are always non-real events, however the story being told may relate to true events or may have a realistic plot. Non-fiction is the opposite of fiction, meaning the work is based on historical fact or real facts. I personally believe literature to be more captivating than theatre to the human mind, for a story told in words other than action and speech seems to permeate the soul more so than film and live theatre. I by no means am trying to flatten the importance of other forms of art for they are just as important to a society’s culture as the written word is.-**Andy Rowe**__

__**What is Literature?** “Good literature has something important to say about life.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/higher/gaelic/literature/what_is_literature_rev.shtml

“The term //literature// is a site of ideological conflict; it may be taken to refer exclusively to those canonical works in the established genres which ‘have pleased many and pleased long’ (Dr Johnson), or inclusively to the sum total of writings which are read, even the most ephemeral, such as comics and [|newspapers]. Essays, letters, memoirs, historical, biographical and travel writings, occasional verse, etc, will be considered ‘literature’ depending on the point of view.” http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/Cambridge/entries/028/literature.html

In my search to define literature, I was struck by the simplicity of the first definition quoted above. Literature is not just written words on a page. It is more than a good story or a memorable poem. I believe, in order for something to be literature, the words have to move the reader. Literature must relate life to the reader in some way. In the most pragmatic sense, literature is the written word describing the world around us, from daily events (e.g. - newspapers and magazines) to the arts and sciences (e.g. - text books). It can also be an intellectual or philosophical examination about the human condition- personal reflection inspired by another’s words. In my opinion, literature, in its purest form, should be an emotional and visceral journey that the reader is compelled to take, thrust along by the author’s words. The second definition quoted above ties in with first because of the perception that an “ideological conflict” would have “something important to say about life”. In the second definition, the insistence that personal point of view is an integral component to defining literature supports my belief that the reader must be moved by the words in some way. Words written on a page are just that, words on a page. It takes the individual to transform those words into literature.
 * Matthew Brooks**__

__Literature is not what the author is trying to get across but what the reader interprets. The most interesting thing about literature is it offers alternatives to all. Literature is not black and white; I see it as a rainbow where each color represents an idea. It offers the opportunity for all to interpret and create their own world. “Literature flourishes best when it is half trade and half an art.” William Ralph Inge. I think what he is trying to say is that what makes literature so special is the fact that there is an exchange of ideas. It starts with the author’s initial proposal and ends with each reader and his or her interpretation. This form of art feeds from the trade of ideas between the author and its audience.
 * Jaime Rodriguez**__

__I think literature is any type of written work from short stories to novels and plays. Creative writing, or the art of a writer.

Ashley Cloninger__

__Literature is a written peice I guess technically of any kind. In my own mind, however, it seems very uninteresting. When I find a good book that I truly enjoy I never think of it as a peice of "literature", it seems that term is only associated with the books that I find to be uninteresting. The most amazing thing about literature is the fact that you can make it whatever you want it to be. If you have ever been to see a movie that was made from a book, there was probably many things that you thought would be different, as did everyone else in the theatre. Almost everyone there had a different view of what things would be like. Literature pushes us to be creative without actually thinking about being creative. It is truly amazing, especially with people who have a hard time being creative in the first place. “[|**Literature** adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.]” C.S. Lewis

--** Literature is something that is written down and organized in some way in which it can be read and understand. When researching I found that prose, poetry, essays, etc. were considered literature which means there has to be some creative aspect to it. Literature doesn't include encyclopedias or things like that and I guess that is because there is nothing orginal about it unlike a poem or prose. [|"Literature is the garment which one puts on what he says or writes so that it may appear more attractive." - Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq] I think this means literature is a way of dressing up your thoughts, opinions, and ideas so that it is more presentable and readable. Under those circumstances even this qualifies as literature.__ //**Patrick Jones**__//
 * Jaima Russell

//LIterature is a body of work that focueses on a particular issuse. Literature is fluid and can be multidirectional. The power of a piece of literature can last for many generations or it can fade within a few moments. " To be or not to be that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer. The slings and arrows of outrages for fortunes." William Sheakespeare Hamlet "The Lord is my shephard, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul, He guides me in the path of rightousness for his name sake." Psalm 23 A psalm of David "What cha gonna do with all that junk, all that junk inside your trunk. I'ma get get get get you drunk, get you love love drunk off my hump. My hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps." Black Eye Peas My Humps "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of ecreduality." Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities
 * Chablis Pettus**//

Literature to me as many different meanings! The first word that comes to mind is boring but that is not always the case. To me it means any piece of writen work or anything that is visual that provokes emotions. Anything that makes to feel different than what you were feeling before you read the story or saw that beatiful artwork.
 * Yessenia Norena**

Literature is like any other artform, very expressive and free. The medium is writing and it can take on any form such as a short story, poetry, or a novel. Whatever is written about can be real or imaginary or anywhere the creative mind takes us. A good piece of literature can spark such interest the people still find it interesting for generations. Tt is the freedom of expression that makes us marvel at great works of literature.
 * Terry Sheehan**

Literature in my opinion is any form of media through which we can express ourselves for various purposes. Whether it be to inform people on a topic, teach a moral lesson, tell a story, or to merely express our emotions about something. "The term is most commonly used to refer to works of the creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction." ([|http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm)]


 * Ben Palmer**

What is literature? Well, Webster's Dictionary defines literature as **"**(1)**:** writings in prose or verse; //especially// **:** writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest (2)**:** an example of such writings  b**:** the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age c**:** the body of writings on a particular subject (scientific //literature)//" To me, it is any written or oral work that has meaning. A story, a poem, even a single word. Literature, to me, is by far one the easiest types of artistic expression to understand since it is literally spelled out for the reader. It is also one of my favorite types of art. [|http://www.m-w.com]


 * Robin Hilton**

[|**lynnsmith**] **writes:** Literature, I believe is imaginative and creative writing or art with history to it. Literature is not just opinions they are related to how we are educated on value that can be reformed to making someone laugh, smile or cry. Posted Jan 14, 2008 8:34 pm

Literature is expression put down on paper. It involves idea, passion, creativity, feeling, time, and above all thought. For example, poetry or stories. For literature to be amazing, it does not have to have meaning or even point. It can be a simple word or a sentence. I believe that true literature is totally unique. It is the most timeless piece of someone's heart. It never gets old or goes out of date. It is fresh and can be used as time goes on.
 * Cashebia Dupree**

Literature is the use of language for self expression- anything that is written with the intent of self-expression can be defined as literature. It can also be defined as imaginiative or creative writing, especially of reconized artistic value. Although i think it can't really be just definied because its such a free expression of thought. It can change dynamically with time or stay the same. Its an interesting artform to say the least.


 * Jonathan Early**

feel that literature is anything that you see or read that makes you think. A piece of art can tell a story, and of course that makes you think of the plot and such. Literature, I take it mean literally so I think that it can not be that much far fetched. It pertains to things on a real basis.
 * Danielle Hawley**

Literature to me means any type of written story. It can be fiction, non-fiction, mythical and etc. I think literature can be educational or just purely for entertainment. Writting literature allows us to express our thoughts and feelings. Reading literature can introduce you to thoughts and ideas you might never have thought of.
 * Meghann Bettinger**

I have looked up Literature on 7 different websites. In my conclusion, I have discovered literature is very broad. Literature can very from country to country. My basic definition, Literature is represented in books, stories, plays, and the way you write.
 * Ty'ree Taylor**

[|**martinke**] **writes:** To me literatue is ideas or thoughts that a writter puts in words for others to read. I often think if literatue as being something you do just in English class, but it is not. It can be foung in many places. Literature is 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. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/literature Katie Martin Posted Jan 11, 2008 7:36 am _Literature to me has many different meaning the first word that comes to mind is boring but that is not always the case. to me it means any piece of written work or anything that is visual that provokes emotion. Anything that makes me feel different than what i was feeling beofre i read the story of saw that beatiful artwork. Yessenia Norena Literature is a way that authors are able to express themselves. With Literature one has the power to persuade another person's opinion and way of thinking. Literature is a way to express your imagination and unique individuality.

http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm


 * Casey Winders**

Literature is essentially anything that a person or persons creates in response to his or her culture. It is a certain form of writing that is not just a story, but a story that reflects the aspects of cultures such as ideas, places, people, time periods, laws, reflections of events, and many more. It is through literature that we can see how a certain culture acted at a certain time period through a certain person who took the time to write. James Vaughn