Elements of Form and Content: Summary

ORDINARY LEVEL LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

PART ONE: THEORY OF LITERATURE: AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

UNIT 14: Elements of Form and Content: Summary 

FORM THREE

In this Unit, the following aspects will be covered:

- Introduction 

- Concepts of Form and Content of Literature Explained

- Conclusion 

Introduction 

The Concept of Form and Content In Literature

There has long been disagreement whether style or form can be separated from content or not. To put the question another way, are we saying the identical thing when we use different means of saying it, or is the meaning of the utterance (partly) produced by the way we say it? Or is there a difference in WHAT we say because of HOW we say it? Most modern criticism would agree that Form and Content are not in fact clearly separable, that one is intrinsically dependent on the other, and that a paraphrase never expresses exactly the same thing as the original utterance.

Although it can be agreed by most of the literary critics, form and content might have the following elements for each:

ELEMENTS OF A LITERARY WORK 

FORM:

1. Plot - organisation, structure, and sequence of events in a story/novel. 

2. Setting - the context and physical environment in which the story is set. 

3. Characters - imaginary people represented in a story. 

4. Language - the writer's choice of words (language). 

5. Style - Uniqueness of the writer. 

CONTENT:

1. Theme - the subject matter of a story. The story may have many themes. 

2. Conflict - an argument, disagreement, clash, struggle, or misunderstanding in the story. 

3. Message - An idea a writer wants to convey to his/her people. 

4. Lesson - Morals/teachings a writer wants his/her people to take. 

5. Philosophy - Stance, attitude, viewpoint, belief of a writer. 

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.

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UNIT 15: ELEMENTS OF FORM - Part 1