I have to write a 6 page research paper on the purpose of literature. I believe literature is meant to inform us of past experiences in history. I am having a problem finding academic sources for this. Please help! Thank you.

Have you been to a public or college library and asked a reference librarian for help with this? If not, why not? Most academic journals that will be what you want are on databases that the library subscribes to.

Here are two web sites that might help you organize your thinking --

13. Literature: The Language Art (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jewel001/humanities/book/13literature.htm)

The Purpose of Literature (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/217612-the-purpose-of-literature)

I have tried everything. But it is quite difficult to find resources for a topic like this.

Author(s): Haverkamp, Beth ; Young, Richard
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Title: "Paradigms, Purpose, and the Role of Literature"
Source: The Counseling Psychologist 35, no. 2 (2007): 265-294
Additional Info: Sage Publications; 20070301
Standard No: ISSN: 0011-0000
Language: English
Database: ArticleFirst

Author(s): Petrie, Paul R ; Barrish, Phillip
Title: "Reviews - Conscience and Purpose: Fiction and Social Consciousness in Howells, Jewett, Chesnutt, and Cather"
Source: Twentieth century literature. 52, no. 4, (2006): 474 (8 pages)
Additional Info: Hofstra University Press, etc.]
Alt Journal: Key Title: Twentieth century literature
Standard No: ISSN: 0041-462X
OCLC No: 1713698
Database: ArticleFirst

I appreciate your help but none of those sources talk about the purpose of literature.

I don't know what you were reading, but I sure found info in those links on the purpose of literature including how literature explains historical events.