ORDINARY LEVEL LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

PART ONE: THEORY OF LITERATURE: AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

UNIT 1: An Introduction to the Basic concepts.

FORM THREE

In this UNIT, the following terms are explained:

Theory
Theory of literature
Literary criticism
Literary genre
Conclusion

1. Theory

The term, Theory, can be defined as idea or assumption that is to be tested in order to produce actual or practical results.

Encarta Dictionaries 2009 defines Theory as the body of rules, ideas, principles, and techniques that applies to a subject, especially when seen as distinct from actual practice.

Thus, this proves that theory is a set of ideas which are suggested to explain a fact, event, opinion or an explanation. For example, it is said most football coaches are good at formulating theories but they fail to motivate the players to adapt to particular coaches’ theories. In this case, a theory is any idea a person can form for a particular thing. And after forming a theory that person tries to put that particular theory in practice to see if it is working. Therefore, theory in Literature also implies that something is going to be learnt in theory and later it will be practiced.

2. Theory of literature or literary theory

Theory of Literature or Literary theory refers to the means or methods used in the Literary Criticism of various works of literature. In general, literary theories are the explanations of the assumptions and values upon which various forms of literary criticism rest.

Literary theories are developed as a means to understand the various ways people read and analyze texts. Each theory is believed to be important, but most of us interpret texts according to the "rules" of several different theories at the same time. All literary theories are like lenses through which we can see texts.

3. Literary criticism

Literary criticism refers to the act of interpreting and studying literature. This is a critical study of a piece of literature. In a literary field, literary critics apply different theories to the text or an essay to give critical judgment or conclusion.

4. A literary genre

This refers to a category of literary composition. In other words, genre is defined as the subject matter, or category in which a writer would base his or her work on. The word ‘genre’ is derived from French language which means ‘kind’. Thus, literature as a genre is divided into three sub-genres, namely; Prose, drama, and poetry.

5. The relationship between literary theory and literary criticism

In most cases, Literary Theory and Literary Criticism introduce the students to major theoretical approaches to the study of literature, but these have special merits when introduced to the Ordinary Level Secondary Students because they set a path to the more advanced studies in Literature Studies in ‘A’ Level, College and University Studies.

Conclusion
These basic concepts of literature are important for students because they provide an overview of what will be covered in both THEORY OF LITERATURE and APPRECIATION OF LITERARY WORKS. They give clues to the students on what they will be dealing with in the subject. At the beginning of the literature course a student has to know that he/she will deal with the concepts of Theory, Theory of Literature, Literary genres, and literary criticism.

REFERENCES

Eagleton, T (2003) Literary Theory: An Introduction; SECOND EDITION, Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

Bennett, A & Royle, N (2004) Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory; Third Edition, Pearson, London

NEXT:

UNIT 2: Definitions of Literature

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[1] "A Comprehensive Handbook for Ordinary Level Literature" book (PDF), and

[2] "A Comprehensive Handbook for Ordinary Level Literature in English" book (PDF)

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