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What Is English Literature at Its Very Core

Studying English literature provides an in-depth understanding of texts through analyzing styles, language use, and meaning. It covers traditional forms like poetry, drama, and prose fiction, as well as more contemporary works. Students learn to read critically and write clearly in different styles. They examine literature from focuses like British, American, and world literature. Studying literature teaches transferable skills in deconstruction and critical thinking that benefit many careers in writing, publishing, business, law, marketing and more.

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Kathya Balani Nabore
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104 views2 pages

What Is English Literature at Its Very Core

Studying English literature provides an in-depth understanding of texts through analyzing styles, language use, and meaning. It covers traditional forms like poetry, drama, and prose fiction, as well as more contemporary works. Students learn to read critically and write clearly in different styles. They examine literature from focuses like British, American, and world literature. Studying literature teaches transferable skills in deconstruction and critical thinking that benefit many careers in writing, publishing, business, law, marketing and more.

Uploaded by

Kathya Balani Nabore
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is English Literature at its Very Core?

English Literature refers to the study of texts from around the world, written in the English language. By
studying a degree in English Literature, you will learn how to analyze a multitude of texts and write
clearly using several different styles. Generally, literature refers to different types of text including
novels, non-fiction, poetry, and plays, among other forms. However, literature is a contested term, as
new mediums for communication provide different types of contemporary literature.

Literature is generally defined as writing with artistic merit. However, other types of text such as
screenplays, nonfiction, song lyrics, and online communication through blogs and other means, could
now be considered literature under the contemporary understanding of the term. The English Literature
programs in most major US institutions will largely study the traditional literary texts. An English
Literature major will likely examine texts including poetry, drama, and prose fiction, perhaps briefly
covering more contested forms of literature in their chosen path.

Studying Literature Versus Reading for Pleasure

If you choose to study Literature in the US, you will learn how to read different texts and analyze the
style, use of different types of language, and meaning, in depth. You will also learn how to write clearly,
concisely and analytically in stylistically different forms. Generally, Literature courses are divided into
different focuses: British Literature, American Literature, World Literature, and periods (pre-1800 and
post-2000). You will have core courses in several of these topics and will also be expected to choose a
focus of your own interest, such as creative writing or drama. You will ultimately gain a much more in-
depth understanding of the texts you cover than is possible from solo-reading, and learn how to express
your knowledge through written analysis and presentation or class discussion.

Why Study English Literature?

Studying English Literature in the USA will give you a better understanding of the world around you. A
Literature degree provides transferable skills that teach you to deconstruct and analyze in order to
provide a critical viewpoint in all areas. As an international student, studying English Literature
demonstrates to an employer that you have a strong grasp of the English language and are proficient in
professional English.

There are several different paths for careers in literature as a graduate. You can also take graduate
courses and become a teacher, lecturer, or journalist, with common crossovers for graduating English
students including business, law, and education. Or you can use your analytical skills to move into
unexpected careers such as marketing, advertising, or pretty much anything you are willing you adapt
to. There are also obvious positions available in the publishing industry, from editor, to proofreader, to
literary agent. Many creative writers, including novelists, poets, and screenwriters, among others, start
their careers by gaining an in-depth understanding of written English before developing their individual
abilities for expression through writing.

If you want to gain a strong-hold on the English language, develop your critical analysis of the world
around you, and study in a degree that will provide you with numerous different career opportunities,
English Literature could be the right pursuit for you.

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