NET- What is literature ?

Michael Alexander in 'A History of English Literature '(Palgrave  Macmillan , 175 Fifth Avenue New York 10010) says," 'Literature' is a word with a qualitative implication , not just a neutral term for writing in general ." Now what are the qualities that make a piece of writing literature ? And , is literature always and essentially a piece of writing ? The Vedas and several ancient lores in several languages and dialects were  composed long before they were first reduced into writing . Yet , they are verily literature . So, something is literature mainly because it possesses certain distinct qualities.