21st

• Literature


  Derived from the Latin word "litera" which means letter
• Literature


  Any oral or written record of man's thoughts, feelings, and aspirations which have stood the test of time
• Literature


  A term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material
• Literature


  Represents the culture and tradition of a language or people
• Literature


  Suggests a higher art form
• Literature


  A product of and a commentary on the life process
• Literature


  Provides a blueprint of human civilization
• Literary Merits


  • Universality
  • Permanence
  • Artistry/Style
  • Emotional Value/Suggestiveness
  • Intellectual Value
  • Spiritual Value
• Universality


  • The truth and meaning that transcend time and space, religion, and creed
  • Applicability of the literary piece to humanity as a whole
• Permanence


  • Timeliness and timelessness
  • The relevance to present day as when it was written
  • It makes the reader do the reading over and over again gaining delight or insights every time
• Artistry


  The figures of speech, imagery and symbolism used by the writer
• Style


  The 'how' that enables the artistry of a writer to formulate themes
• Emotional Value/Suggestiveness


  • The capacity to uplift the emotions
  • The capacity of a work to depict characters' emotions
• Intellectual Value


  • The capacity to stimulate or stir the mind, to make others think or stimulate thoughts
  • It enriches mental life by making readers realize fundamental truths about life, human nature
  • It enables the reader to weigh, contemplate and consider perspective
• Spiritual Value


  • The capacity to inspire lofty thoughts, especially about the divine, godly or spiritual
  • Uplifts by conveying lessons and values, whether implied or direct
  • Leads a reader to learn from people's actions