Literary Terms

Definitions* ..

Literature:

Literature is the art of written works.

The Muslim scholar and philosopher Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (702-765 AD) defined Literature as follows: "Literature is the garment which one puts on what he says or writes so that it may appear more attractive."

Poetry:

A poem is defined as a composition written in verse.

Prose:

Prose consists of writing that does not adhere to any particular formal structures;  "non-poetic" writing, perhaps. 

Fiction:

An imaginative form of narrative fashioned to entertain or possibly instruct.

Non-fiction:

A representation of a subject which is presented as fact.

*collected from various websites.