What is Literature?

The definition of Literature is the art of written works. I agree with this in some ways, and also disagree with this definition in other ways. I believe that the word “art” plays a huge part in that definition. Art can come in many different ways, and writing is a way of art. I do not think that just any written piece of work is considered literature. I believe that it should be honorable, and respectable. In colleges and universities, literature classes are required. I definitely agree with this requirement. These different literature classes that are required are meant to teach us about things that we do not normally see in our everyday lives. Literature is required in college because it will teach us all how to use proper and formal English in the work force. They teach us that there are deeper meanings in life, and how to analyze these situations and peer into these deeper meanings. I have had to read many pieces of work from many different writers and authors throughout my highs school and college career. Reading these books and stories required me to think outside of the box and to look deeper into things. I had the opportunity to read the Grapes of Wrath. This book was written by John Steinbeck, who won the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature. I considered this to be a piece of literature. I also read a lot of work from William Shakespeare. I love his work. I believe that William Shakespeare, himself, could be the appropriate and perfect definition for literature. Literature is like art. It expresses feelings, attitude, and emotion. Sometimes literature helps people find themselves inside. Literature can be related to by all types of people. There are genres to fulfill all types of people’s needs. Literature can be poems, novels, books, magazines, or articles. I think we should all try to work on reading more literature to better ourselves and expand our learning.

Journal 1 - Reading Process

Oddly, I remember the first day I actually picked up a book and enjoyed reading it. As all of the other children in my daycare class were playing with each other, I found a pile of books in the corner and started flipping through them. I sat down and started reading, and spent the majority of the day lost in those books. I started to make my Mom take me to the library two to three times a week so I could get new books. Sometimes when I go home, I hear my brother laughing in his room to himself. When I walk in to see what he's laughing at, he is reading and laughing at the story. That makes me miss how I used to get so involved in books and lost in the stories. I would read constantly. As I grew older I started to drift away from reading as much when I got involved in cheerleading and soccer, and social life. I still enjoy sitting down every once in a while to read and relax. I prefer to read when I am alone, in a dim place, that is very quiet. In high school, we read a lot of literature but we never really read anything that interested me enough to keep me into it. I love to read stories filled with suspense and drama. I have recently gotten hooked on the Twilight series. Actually, one of the best pieces I ever read was The Diary of Anne Frank. I loved that story so much and read it over and over again and never get tired of it. I would say that my interest in reading is definitly not as strong as it was now that I am involved with school, my sorority, cheerleading, social and family life. I should really work on reading more. Hopefully I can get back into my old habits!