Defining Literature

What do I need to know to succeed in this class? Students in past classes have told me… “Do all of the reading journals. Even if they’re only five points, it starts to accumulate.” “Don’t miss class.” “Really pay attention to the theories.” Don’t procrastinate on the essays. ASK QUESTIONS and come to the instructor for help on a draft. Check the website for what you missed. “You’re going to have to flex your brain.”

Because Eng 101 is a prerequisite for this class, I will assume… That you know what a thesis is. That you know the basics of structuring an essay based on a claim. That you know what MLA format is, how to do an in-text citation, and how to make a works cited page. That you know what plagiarism is and that it has serious consequences. That you are proficient in basic grammar, spelling, and mechanics.

What will our class meetings look like? A regular day might include… Discussion of readings that are listed as due on the syllabus for that day. This means that if it’s listed on the syllabus, you should come to class prepared to offer your ideas about it. Lecture on a new writing technique and time to practice it. Lecture on a writing technique and time to incorporate it into an essay draft. (If I tell you to bring a draft, this is why. If you don’t bring a draft, you won’t get the time to work on it in class using what you learned.) An in-class writing addressing a question about a reading or a set of readings we have already done. A quiz on the reading that is listed as due on the syllabus for that day.

How do we define literature? Before I show you the definition, I want you to take two minutes and make a list of as many works (novels, poems, plays, essays, etc) that you consider to be literature as you can think of. Next, I want you to make a list of some written pieces (these might be entire books, even) that you do not think are literature. What do the books on your first list have in common? What do the books on your second list have in common?

Dictionary Definition of Literature The Oxford American College Dictionary defines “literature” as: “written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit.” What exactly do you think is meant by “artistic merit”? Who decides this?

In-Class Writing #1 What do people generally mean when they call a piece of writing “literature”? What characteristics does “literature” have that sets it apart from other writing? Think about a favorite piece of writing (novel, non-fiction book, poem, play, etc) of yours. Would it be considered “literature” by most people? Do you think it should be considered literature?

Four Keys to Understanding Literature 1.Learning to feel it. In order to understand literature, you have to be open to letting it affect you. 2.Experience. The more you read and study literature, the easier it will be to read and understand works of literature you come into contact with. 3.Context. Knowing the historical, cultural, or political background of a work of literature is sometimes the key to understanding the entire work. 4.Critical theories. These sets of assumptions about how to critically analyze a work of literature can focus your attention and help you to gain insights about a work you might not have had otherwise.