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Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes
spoken material. Derived from the Latin word litteratura meaning
"writing formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to
works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction,
nonfiction, journalism, and in some instances, song.
Simply put, literature represents the culture and tradition of a
language or a people.
The concept is difficult to precisely define, though many
have tried, but it's clear that the accepted definition of literature is
constantly changing and evolving.
For many, the word literature suggests a higher art form; merely
putting words on a page doesn't necessarily mean creating literature. A canon
is the accepted body of works for a given author. Some works of literature are
considered canonical, that is, culturally representative of a particular genre.