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.