However, here are two common ways to divide literature into two broad categories:
1. Fiction vs. Nonfiction:
* Fiction: Imaginary stories created by the author, often exploring themes of human experience, morality, and the nature of reality. This includes novels, short stories, plays, poetry, and screenplays.
* Nonfiction: Factual accounts of real events, people, and ideas. This includes biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, essays, historical accounts, scientific writing, and journalistic pieces.
2. Literature vs. Popular Literature:
* Literature: This term often refers to works considered to have artistic merit and lasting significance. These are often complex and challenging, exploring deeper themes and engaging with complex literary techniques. They are typically studied in academic settings.
* Popular Literature: This category includes works that are widely read and enjoyed by a large audience. They often focus on entertainment and escapism and may include genres like romance, mystery, thriller, and science fiction.
It's important to note that these are just broad categorizations, and many works fall somewhere in between or overlap. For example, a historical novel blends fiction with factual elements, while a fictionalized biography incorporates real events with imagined details. Ultimately, the categorization of literature depends on the context and purpose of the analysis.