FIRST YEAR
NOVEL COURSE
LECTURE 1
Definition of literature and characteristics of a literary work WHAT IS LITERATURE?
Literature can be generally defined as any written work that is produced for an artistic purpose, rather than merely to communicate information . A literary work, therefore, often has certain characteristics that distinguish it from other forms of writing. These characteristics will be outlined in the following slides. 1. LITERATURE IS
FICTIONAL
Most works of literature are fictional: they tell about imaginary or unreal people, places and events. In fantasy fiction, for example, human beings fly, perform magic remain young, travel through time, and live happily ever after.
Even historical literature, which is based on actual events, is fictional. It includes characters,
2. LITERATURE IS
AESTHETIC
Literature is aesthetic as it gives a sense of pleasure to the reader.
This pleasure rests in the way authors use literary conventions, such as metaphor, symbolism, irony , suspense, and poetic language to enhance and communicate ideas.
3. THE LANGUAGE OF
LITERATURE
The medium of literature, whether oral or written, is language.
Authors of literature use language in special ways. One of those ways is an emphasis on connotative rather than denotative meanings of words.
For example, scientists use
THE LANGUAGE OF
LITERATURE-CONTINUED
In contrast, writers of literature use language connotatively: they emphasize the emotional
