Literature and its Importance
Literature is important for a variety of causes. For starters, it enables one to learn about the culture of the English-speaking world; those who study literature will learn about themselves as well as their history. Stories, such as histories, fables, philosophies, myths, and legends, form society by emphasizing the significance of the human race (Schäfer & Gendolla, 2015). Individuals can develop a deeper sense of their history, where they fit in, and how stories have been created around them through researching the culture. The study of the Bible is an example of the historical meaning of literature; the biblical myths and allusions referenced are based on people and their historical significance. As such, it improves general cultural awareness.
Personal Growth through Literature
Literature also enhances personal growth as it entails students engaging in literary text reading and developing cultural and diversity knowledge. As one learns literature, they are able to encounter wide and large-ranging vocabulary that are essential for various reasons; they help in the reading and writing abilities, and at the same time allows for further complex discourse (Schäfer & Gendolla, 2015). As one develops more complex vocabulary, they are able to think more critically within and outside the classroom. Students usually have limited vocabulary; however, reading literature enhances development of vocabulary through the descriptive nature of literature such as novels and stories (Schäfer & Gendolla, 2015). Personal development enhanced by literature also includes improvement of writing skills; the way to become a better reader is by being involved in language learning. Students who read literature frequently are able to become better readers and writers; this can be more achieved by concentrating on a particular author's style or book. As such, novels such as The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby have been used in the classroom over the years due to their unique creativity and style with language.
Understanding the Main Genres of Literature
There are two main genres of literature; fiction and non-fiction. Fiction refers to the narrative work of literature that has imaginary content that is not based on facts; thus, it involves invention, feigning, imagination, and making up of stories. Such include drama which is a genre composed in prose or verse through theatrical performance that evokes emotions or conflict n form of dialogue and action. Poetry is also a fiction which is a rhythmic or verse writing with imagery evoking emotional response from those who read art (Schäfer & Gendolla, 2015). Other fictions include: fantasy which are forming of worldly settings creating suspension; humor, amusing fiction; fable, stories of extraordinary or supernatural people; short story, fiction of such briefness not supporting any subplot; science fiction; legend, stories of folk hero; and horror which is a painful feeling resulting from a frightful and revolting literature. Other fictions include short story, historical fiction, tall tale, mythology, and mystery.
The nonfictional genre, on the other hand, refers to the informational text that considers the real life, actual subjects. As such, it offers opinions and conjectures on reality and facts. It includes essays, biographies, essays, narratives, and speech. Essays refer to the literary compositions reflecting a point or outlook of an author, usually presented in interpretive or speculative manner. A biography refers to the written account of an individual's life. A narrative is a factual information presented in a story format (Schäfer & Gendolla, 2015). A speech, on the other hand, is an oral communication reflecting one's emotions and thoughts through gestures, sounds, and speech.
References
Schäfer, J., & Gendolla, P. (Eds.). (2015). Beyond the screen: transformations of literary structures, interfaces and genres (Vol. 44). transcript Verlag.
