The Criteria for Good Literature
Keishera Aldonza
August 30, 2011
English Honors
The Criteria for Good Literature
A good book us just that, a book. Yes, it may be enjoyable. Yes, it may have an intriguing plot. However, it still stands separate from the works titled as “good literature.” In order to be considered good literature, the piece of writing must meet specific criteria. First, it must have strong characterization and they must fully develop throughout the plot. It is important for the characters to explore themselves, as we humans often seek to find ourselves. Characters should have motivation, passion, and values, all qualities that makes us relate to them more. They should feel very real alive and not just words on paper.
A good piece of literature should have the capability to make us connect to our own world and ponder the cogency of our morals, and even our existence. It should have the reader searching inside oneself for answers to mysteries and questions brought by the author’s craftsmanship, and searching for means of understanding it. A work of good literature should also have neither time nor place. Themes portrayed in the piece can be conveyed no matter what era or place the reader is in. The ideas should be universal and can be applied to any circumstance.
The piece of writing should also be fluid and vivid. It should mimic the liking of a Picasso, in the field writing. Its plot should be distinctive, captivating the minds of its reader. It should have articulate, elaborate details that paint lively, picturesque scenes in the reader’s mind. Lastly, the level of enjoyment determines the quality of the piece in question. A good book can be read, enjoyed but later forgotten about. A good piece of literature is read and enthralls both the mind and heart. It makes the reader yearn for it and once more read it. Only then is it considered an excellent piece of literature.
Based on the above definition of good literature, 1984 by George Orwell meets several of the criteria and
August 30, 2011
English Honors
The Criteria for Good Literature
A good book us just that, a book. Yes, it may be enjoyable. Yes, it may have an intriguing plot. However, it still stands separate from the works titled as “good literature.” In order to be considered good literature, the piece of writing must meet specific criteria. First, it must have strong characterization and they must fully develop throughout the plot. It is important for the characters to explore themselves, as we humans often seek to find ourselves. Characters should have motivation, passion, and values, all qualities that makes us relate to them more. They should feel very real alive and not just words on paper.
A good piece of literature should have the capability to make us connect to our own world and ponder the cogency of our morals, and even our existence. It should have the reader searching inside oneself for answers to mysteries and questions brought by the author’s craftsmanship, and searching for means of understanding it. A work of good literature should also have neither time nor place. Themes portrayed in the piece can be conveyed no matter what era or place the reader is in. The ideas should be universal and can be applied to any circumstance.
The piece of writing should also be fluid and vivid. It should mimic the liking of a Picasso, in the field writing. Its plot should be distinctive, captivating the minds of its reader. It should have articulate, elaborate details that paint lively, picturesque scenes in the reader’s mind. Lastly, the level of enjoyment determines the quality of the piece in question. A good book can be read, enjoyed but later forgotten about. A good piece of literature is read and enthralls both the mind and heart. It makes the reader yearn for it and once more read it. Only then is it considered an excellent piece of literature.
Based on the above definition of good literature, 1984 by George Orwell meets several of the criteria and