Answer:
B) The imaginative shaping of life and thought into the forms and structures of language.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of literature as "the imaginative shaping of life and thought into the forms and structures of language" is widely accepted in academic circles and reflects the essence of what literature is. Literature is not just a mere record of events, but rather it is an artistic expression of human experience that involves the creative use of language to convey meaning and emotion. Literature can take many forms, including poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction, but what sets it apart is the way in which it is crafted to evoke aesthetic experiences in the reader. This definition also emphasizes the role of the writer in shaping and creating literature, as well as the reader's active engagement in interpreting and understanding it.