Homework for tomorrow, please help me

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Hi folks!I would like you to have a glimpse at my essay, it is not that long and I am really desperate for some help. It is my english homework for tomorrow. Could you correct it and maybe give me some advice as well? Thank you so much!There we go...My opinion about literatureI think every single text is literature, because the term literature refers to any form of writing in my opinion, even though there is a number of people thinking it only refers to written work of exceptional intelelectual calibre. Everyone should read whatever appeals to him, regardless whether it is supposed to be (higher) literature or not. Surely we are to distinguish between the different kinds of literature, but nobody can possibly claim the right to judge about a text being literature or not.I agree with Frank that there is a difference between supposedly higher literature and a book just written to be read now and then during a few minutes at ease. These books are meant to entertain, whereas those are written to be thought on. They usually have a certain intention – they want tell something to the reader. The actual meaning is rarely obvious and therefore the reader must have a lot of background information, both on the author and on the time the work was written.My approach to literaturePersonally I really enjoy reading, especially fantasy books or historical novels. It is amazing how some authors succeed in creating a whole new world in their minds and then even awake it to life. That is no mean feat and should be respected and honoured.Sometimes I even bring myself to read books which are widely considered works “one should have read”. As a matter of fact, it is harder to read and to understand, but nonetheless an interesting experience.GreetingsSeb

Waïti · Accepted Answer

Let me give it a shot then...
(pls note I'm not to be held liable for anything I might overlook or any improper suggestion I might make, as I'm not a native speaker).

'...intelelectual calibre...' : typo in there.

'Everyone should read whatever appeals to him' : I think you should refer to everyone as 'them' and make it 'appeals to them'.

'... and then during a few minutes at ease'. I really don't understand this part of the sentence. Do you mean it can be 'forgotten within few minutes' after it is read ? Or do you mean it is so easy to read that it only takes few minutes ?

'... written to be thought on' : I would use 'thought of' but I'm not sure.

'... they want tell something' : you just forgot 'to', should be 'they want TO tell' ; also you could say 'they are meant to tell', since it is hard to conceive of a book as something that has the power of 'wanting' something.

'... but nonetheless an interesting experience' : missing 'is' in there I believe, should be 'but IS nonetheless...'

Hope this helps ?

Na!tSabeS · Answer

OK, first of all: Thank you, it helps a lot!

intellectual calibre*

I'm really not sure about the "everyone" thingy... maybe there will be some more posts to clarify that

I wasn't sure if you could say that, but I meant that it is a somewhat easy and relaxed read and that you can read it even if you have only little time, in short breaks for example. Don't misunderstand me, I didn't want to say that you can read the whole book in just a few minutes. Do you get me? How should I rather express it?

Does anybody else know whether it's "to be thought on" or "to be thought of"?

Yeah, that was an oversight, of course it's "they want to tell", but I will change it to "they are meant to tell", as you said, thanks!

Any more mistakes? I am as well amenable to advice concerning the formulation...

Seb

Davkett · Answer

Hi Seb,

I hope I haven't overdone helping you out here.

My opinion about literature

Even though there are people who think "literature" refers only to written work of exceptional intellectual calibre, I think every single text is literature, because the term "literature" refers, in my opinion, to any form of writing. Everyone should read whatever appeals to them, regardless of whether it is of a "higher" or "lower" form. Surely, we are to distinguish between the different kinds of literature, but nobody ought to say that any given text is not literature.

I agree with Frank that there is a difference between "high" literature and a book written just to be read for light pleasure. Such books are meant to entertain. "High" literature is meant to stimulate thought. Books of this type usually intend to tell something to the reader, the actual meaning of which is rarely obvious. The reader must have a lot of background information, both on the author and on the times in which the work was written.

My approach to literature

Personally, I really enjoy reading, especially fantasy books or historical novels. It is amazing how some authors succeed in creating a whole new world and give it life through words. That is no mean feat and should be respected and honoured.

Sometimes I bring myself to read books that are widely considered to be works “one should read”. As a matter of fact, they are often harder to read and to understand. Nonetheless, making the effort is always an interesting experience.

Na!tSabeS · Answer

No, you haven't overdone it, it's simply perfect... It's my aim to be able to write like you one day, even if that aim is hard to achieve, I'll give my best! Hopefully the actual text - my text - wasn't that bad. Thank you anyway!

Seb

Davkett · Answer

No.  Your mistakes weren't so bad at all.  They were kind of normal mistakes for a young writer.  Keep up your good attitude about reading, too.

Waïti · Answer

Mister DavKett,

You've used the expression 'reading for light pleasure'. Would it sound right to your native ear to say something like 'easy-reading' like there is 'easy-listening' for music ? Also what about the expression 'smooth-reading', which I think I heard somewhere ?
Thxs a bunch.
Waïti.

Davkett · Answer

Waïti Would it sound right to your native ear to say something like 'easy-reading'

Yes. I think that phrase is fairly common.

Homework for tomorrow, please help me

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