How would you define a "passage" in literary terms?

A "passage" in literary terms is typically understood as a short extract from written material. This can include a few sentences or a paragraph taken from a larger work, such as a novel, essay, or poem. Passages are often used to illustrate themes, analyze writing style, or examine character development within the context of the complete work. They provide insight into the narrative or argument without needing to reference the entire text, allowing readers to engage with specific ideas or moments directly.

While a complete book encompasses a full and comprehensive narrative or argument, and a summary condenses the main ideas of a text, these concepts differ significantly from a passage, which focuses on a specific excerpt. Character dialogue, on the other hand, constitutes interaction between characters rather than serving as an excerpt in its own right. Therefore, defining a passage as a short extract captures its essence clearly and accurately.