Introduction to
Literature
What is Literature?
It is from the Latin word litera or litterae which
means letter.
It is the art of written work, and is not confined
to published sources .
It literally means "things made from letters" and the
term "letters" is sometimes used to signify
"literature," as in the figures of speech "arts and
letters" and "man of letters.”
What is Literature?
It is defined as a piece of work related to the
ideas and feelings of the people, that may be
true or just a product of the writer’s
imagination.
Why do we study
Literature?
The Relevance of Literature
1. It helps us address crucial questions of
religious, ethical, social, moral and
philosophical kinds, building powerful bridges
between the past and the present.
2. It is engaged with cultural expressions of
human life, and meaningful representations
of human existence.
The Relevance of Literature
3. It opens perspectives regarding the value of
life and culture.
4. It allows us to come to grips with our own
existence.
5. It serves as an epistemological mirror that
address fundamental issues.
The Relevance of Literature
6. It can inform us about human existence in a
meaningful way, through probing issues,
challenging us, presenting conflicts and offering
pathways to a balanced and fulfilling existence.
7. It is an effective tool in transforming the new
generation into responsible and reflective
individuals.
The Relevance of Literature
8. It provides a panoply of models that helps us
reflect on ourselves, challenges our position in
this world vis-à-vis other people, culture,
religions, ethics and worldviews.
9. It provides a textual medium for the analysis
of the basic values that determine our
existence.
The Relevance of Literature
10.It answers who we are, why we exist, and
what really matters in this life here on earth.
11.It is a catalyst for critical thinking, for
exercising our brain, for imagining alternative
models of human existence.
Source: Albrecht Classen (2016). The Meaning of Literature and Literature as Meaning-A Productive Challenge of Modern Times
from the Middle Ages. Department of German Studies, University of Arizona
Literature as a Teaching Tool
Literature has been seen as a tool to improve
the knowledge of the human aspects of the
disease and medicine.
It is used to reduce the gap between scientific
medicine and humanistic medicine.
Contribution of Literature
to Medicine:
1. It enhances understanding of the emotional
component of the disease and allows holistic
approach with consideration to social and
situational factors.
2. It allows a person to contemplate medicine
completely.
Contribution of Literature
to Medicine:
3. It brings students closer to human experiences.
4. It contributes to the understanding of the
conflicts of medical activity in different contexts
and historical situations.
5. It allows us to explore the ethical commitments
of the profession.
Contribution of Literature
to Medicine:
6. It increases empathy. It helps a person consider
different perspectives about what it means to be
a doctor and to be a patient
7. It increases critical thinking, skills, the ability to
assess the types of evidence.
8. It promotes ethical reasoning advances and
multicultural perspective.
Contribution of Literature
to Medicine:
10. It helps a person critically consider personal
assumptions, patterns and biases.
11. It helps how to manage the different
emotions that arise in patients, families and
health care providers.
Source: Torrens et. al (2019). Literature as a teaching tool for medical students
FORMS OF LITERATURE
• ORAL LITERATURE – literary works transmitted
from one generation to another verbally.
• WRITTEN LITERATURE – literary works in
printed form
• VISUAL LITERATURE – literary works
presented in front of an audience
DIVISIONS OF LITERATURE
A. PROSE
It is a typical form of language, that applies ordinary
grammatical structure and natural flow of speech
rather than rhythmic structure (as poetry).
It has simple and defined structure and adopted for
spoken dialogue.
It is commonly in the form of newspapers, magazines,
encyclopedias, broadcasting, film, history, philosophy,
law and many other forms of communication.
DIVISIONS OF LITERATURE
B. POETRY
It is a form of literary art which uses the
artistic qualities of language to evoke
meanings in place of the ordinary meaning.
It is the imaginative expression of emotion,
thought or narrative. It is frequently in
metrical form and uses figurative language.
Types of Prose
A. Fiction
It is the form of any narrative or informative
work that deals with information or events that
are imaginary—that is, invented by the author.
B. Non-Fiction
It is the form of any narrative, account, or other
communicative work which are factual. The
events are believed to be truthful. It is
historically or empirically true.
Types of Poetry
A. Narrative
It is a form of poetry which tells a story.
The entire story is usually written in metered
verse.
It is usually dramatic, with objectives, diverse
characters, and meter.
Types of Poetry
B. Lyric
It is a genre of poetry that expresses personal
and emotional feelings.
Lyric poems were sung, accompanied by a lyre.
Lyric poems do not have to rhyme, and today
do not need to be set to music or a beat.
Types of Poetry
C. Drama
It is the specific mode of fiction represented in
performance.
It is performed by actors on a stage before an
audience, presupposes collaborative modes of
production and a collective form of reception.
The structure of dramatic texts is influenced by this
collaborative production and collective reception.
