Legal Definitions - literary works

Literary works are written or numerical expressions that can be found in various forms such as books, manuscripts, magazines, phonorecords, tapes, disks, or cards. They are protected under the law and can be copyrighted.

• A novel
• A poem
• A play
• A short story
• An essay

These examples illustrate how literary works can be expressed in different forms and genres. For instance, a novel is a long fictional story that is usually published as a book. A poem is a piece of writing that uses figurative language and rhythm to convey emotions or ideas. A play is a form of literature that is written to be performed on stage. A short story is a brief work of fiction that usually focuses on a single event or character. An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument or a point of view on a particular topic.