 History of literature, the history of literature is the historical development of writings in prose or poetry that attempt to provide entertainment, enlightenment, or instruction to the reader-slash-listener-slash-observer, as well as the development of the literary techniques used in the communication of these pieces. Not all writings constitute literature. Some recorded materials, such as compilations of data e.g., a check register are not considered literature, and this article relates only to the evolution of the works defined above.