Oral or written, words paint pictures that no other medium can fully capture. Literature takes many forms, from stories to plays, songs, and even technical text, all of which can be found in cultures across the globe. The origins, themes, and elements common to each, as well as the features that distinguish one form from anotherfrom the types of characters to structureare considered in-depth in these engrossing volumes. Readers will also be introduced to notable authors of each form and are given the tools to try writing their own pieces in each genre.