INTRODUCTION.
This is the aspect that is intended to introduce students to the ways or
various techniques of analysing various works of art. It is not possible for
students to jump directly to the analysis of books especially literary works.
These are the items that should be discussed by the teacher and students before
starting to analyse various literary texts.
For
a teacher to fully teach Appreciation of Literary Works, he/she must equip the
students with the following important ideas in literature:
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)
Definitions of literature
The teacher should guide students to discuss various definitions of
literature and how these definitions share some aspects in common. Read More
Origin and Development of Literature.
In this aspect, a teacher guides students to brainstorm and discuss the
origin of literature as a term and as a discipline/ subject of study. Read More
Importance of Language in Literature.
In this aspect, students and a teacher brainstorm and discuss about the
importance of language in literature. A teacher guides students to understand
more on how literature and language co exists. Read More
Functions of Literature.
These purposes of literature are very important for the students. When
they learn these, they understand that literature is created for the sake of
human beings. They can now realize that literature has nothing to do with
animals but with real people like themselves. Read More
TYPES OF LITERATURE
The teacher to discuss various types of literature with students.
Oral literature:
To guide them define and discuss kinds of oral literature and how they
are important in the society. Read Here
Written Literature:
Teacher to guide students to define written literature and discuss the
forms of written literature. Read Here
COMMON ELEMENTS OF ANY LITERARY WORK
In literature, there are main important elements or features of
narratives. These features are common to most literary narratives. They are
important features because they used by many literary writers in creating
literary works.
The following are the important elements/features of any literary work:
(i)
Plot. This refers to the series of events which form a
story. To identify the plot, find the main events in the story, arrange them in
chronological order, and then write them out as a brief paragraph.
(ii)
Conflict. This is a situation in the story where thoughts,
ideas, actions, events, decisions, or characters disagree or cause
misunderstanding or disagreement.
(iii)
Characterization. This is the writer’s process of creating characters
in the story. This also involves identifying the characters in a story and analysing
their physical, emotional, and psychological traits. A character is a person in
a story. Or a character may be defined as the representation of persons.
Characters have personalities which distinguish one fictional person from
another. Even when the characters are animals, they almost invariably represent
human beings or exhibit human attributes.
(iv)
Setting. This is the time, place and social conditions in which
a story takes place.
(v)
Theme. This is the main idea or ideas in a story. This is
also a statement or the basic idea expressed by a work of literature. The theme
develops from interplay of characters and plots. A theme may be broken up into
several themes of ideas.
(vi)
Language. This is the way a writer uses words to create
literature. It stems from choice of words, how these words are structured or
arranged, and writer’s point of view to the application of figurative language.
Almost every literary work includes six or more elements shown above.
As you read a story you need to remember these features to be able to analyse
the story. Pay attention to the events as they are developing within the story.
At the end of your reading, write brief notes on each of the features outlined
above.
Also see Elements
of Any Literary Work
FORM
AND CONTENT
These terms are very crucial in analysing literary
texts. A teacher should guide students to discuss about the elements of form
and those elements of content. These elements are combined together when analysing
various literary works.
Thus, any literary work can be analysed in terms of
looking at form and content as well:
Elements of Form
Language.
Style.
Characters.
Setting.
Plot.
Elements of Content
Conflict.
Theme.
Message.
Moral lesson.
Philosophy of the writer.
For more on the Diagram of Elements of Literature and
More Click here
CONCLUSION
When the students have experienced the actual reading
of a literary work, now they can discuss more elements of literature so as to
make them aware of more elements of literary works other than characters,
setting, and plot.
Mastering these literary concepts paves the way to the
comprehensive analysis and fuller understanding of literary works. The next sub
topic will be about Identifying Characters, Setting, and Plot of the literary
works. Thus, having mastered all the necessary concepts, students can now be
given an activity under guided reading and analyse the techniques at hand.
The next topic has almost 20 periods which may take up
to three weeks. Within this period of time, a teacher and students can discuss
these concepts and analyse the works of art.
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Related Topics:
Also check out:
References.
- Abrahams, M.H (1971) A
Glossary of Literary Terms, Holt, Rinehart and Winston Inc. New York.
- Daniel,
K et al (ed.) (2003) Elements of
Literature: Fourth Course with Readings in World Literature; Florida
Edition, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Austin.
- Daniel,
K et al (ed.) (2003) Elements of
Literature: Sixth Course; Literature of Britain with World Classics;
Florida Edition, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Austin.
- Kinsella,
K et al (2003) Prentice Hall
Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes; Copper Level, Pearson,
Upper Saddle River.
- http://www.storyboardthat.com/teacher-guide/the-lightning-thief-by-rick-riordan
Tags
'O' LEVEL ENGLISH (OLE)
'O' LEVEL LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (OLLE)
Bonus Topic
Elements of Literature
Form Three