1. Academic Journals
Search for articles and papers in academic databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or Project MUSE. Scholars often define and debate the concept of literature in the context of literary criticism, cultural studies, and philosophy. You can search for terms like "definitions of literature" or "what is literature" in these platforms.
2. Books on Literary Theory
Many books on literary theory provide definitions and discussions of literature from different perspectives. Look for classic texts such as:
Terry Eagleton’s "Literary Theory: An Introduction"
Jonathan Culler’s "Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction"
Northrop Frye’s "Anatomy of Criticism" These books contain various scholarly perspectives on what constitutes literature.
3. Encyclopedias and Anthologies
Consult literary encyclopedias or anthologies that cover different periods and movements, such as:
"The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism"
"The Routledge Encyclopedia of Literature"
These resources often summarize multiple scholars' views on literature.
4. University Lectures and Course Material
Many university courses on literature include extensive readings on its definitions. You can access open course materials from platforms like Coursera, edX, or MIT OpenCourseWare, where professors often cite definitions from various scholars.
5. Websites of Academic Institutions
Visit websites of academic institutions that offer resources in literary studies. Professors and scholars often post articles and papers that explore definitions of literature. Look for academic blogs, syllabi, or lecture notes from university websites.
6. Citing from Scholarly Books
Some well-known scholars who have defined literature in their work include:
Roland Barthes (Structuralism)
Mikhail Bakhtin (Dialogism)
Jacques Derrida (Deconstruction)
Matthew Arnold (Cultural criticism)
F.R. Leavis (Literary criticism)
You can look into their work for specific definitions of literature.
7. Forums and Discussion Groups
Engage with forums like Academia.edu, ResearchGate, or Reddit (in academic subreddits) where scholars and students discuss literary definitions. You may find unique definitions from emerging scholars in these discussions.
8. Library Archives
Visit a university library or public library, which often has access to archives of literary criticism and theory. Consult with a librarian to find texts specifically addressing the definition of literature.
By combining these resources, you should be able to compile a list of at least 20 distinct scholarly definitions of literature.
