Definition of Literature

3. Literature is a term used to
describe written and sometimes
spoken material. Derived from the
Latin word literatura/litteratura
meaning "writing formed with
letters," literature most commonly
refers to works of the creative
imagination, including poetry,
drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in
some instances, journalism, and
song.

4. Simply put, literature
represents the culture and
tradition of a language or a
people. The concept is difficult
to precisely define, though
many have tried; it's clear that
the accepted definition of
literature is constantly
changing and evolving.

5. All literature, whether it be poems,
essays, novels, or short stories,
help us address human nature and
conditions which affect all people.
These may be the need for growth,
doubts, and fears of success and
failure, the need for friends and
family, the goodness of
compassion and empathy, trust, or
the realization of imperfection.

6. Literature is important and necessary. It
provides growth, strengthens our minds,
and gives us the ability to think outside the
box.
Indeed, literature explains human values.
The works of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle
(the most famous Greek philosophers)
contain virtues that promote perfection to a
society if only human beings have the
willingness to uphold and practice them.

7. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave speaks
about the importance of human
wisdom and the penalties that one
would face to achieve a higher level of
understanding.

8. Education isn’t just about reading, writing and arithmetic.
It’s also about life, citizenship and the value of being a
good person. We need values to build a morally upright
society that will in turn contribute to healthy relationships
and help form our emotional identities with care and
courage.

9. Both the home and school are responsible for
inculcating core moral values such as respect,
responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness and
citizenship.