Chapter 18Chapter 18Writing About LiteratureWriting About Literature

Lecture byLecture by

Vivian JohnsonVivian Johnson

Questions you might be Questions you might be asked…asked…

1.1. Show how an author handled one Show how an author handled one element of a short story, play, or element of a short story, play, or poem.poem.

2.2. Compare how two different works Compare how two different works treat a particular element.treat a particular element.

3.3. Weigh several elements and then Weigh several elements and then determine the writer’s intention.*determine the writer’s intention.*

4.4. Air your reactions to some work.* Air your reactions to some work.*

What are the benefits to writing What are the benefits to writing about literature?about literature?

Do you know any of the 7 Do you know any of the 7 Elements of literature?Elements of literature?

7 Elements of Literature7 Elements of Literature

1.1. PlotPlot2.2. Point of viewPoint of view3.3. CharacterCharacter4.4. SettingSetting5.5. SymbolsSymbols6.6. IronyIrony7.7. ThemeTheme

PLOTPLOT

Definition of PlotDefinition of Plot

Definition:Definition: Plot is the series of Plot is the series of events that moves a narrative along.events that moves a narrative along.

This is where the writer hints at later This is where the writer hints at later developments, creating interest and developments, creating interest and building suspense.building suspense.

Plot FactorsPlot Factors

A conventional plot introduces important A conventional plot introduces important characters and sets the stage for what characters and sets the stage for what happens. happens.

Then, one or more conflicts develop, by putting Then, one or more conflicts develop, by putting person against person, or setting characters person against person, or setting characters against society, nature, fate, or themselves.against society, nature, fate, or themselves.

Action gradually builds to a climax, where Action gradually builds to a climax, where events take a decisive turn.events take a decisive turn.

Plot conclusionPlot conclusion

The ending can do The ending can do a number of things.a number of things.

For example….. For example….. clear up clear up unanswered unanswered questions, state a questions, state a theme, reestablish theme, reestablish some sort of some sort of relationship, or hint relationship, or hint at the future.at the future.

Writing about PlotWriting about PlotKey questions to remember before you begin to Key questions to remember before you begin to

write.write.

What are the key What are the key events in the story?events in the story?

Do they unfold in Do they unfold in some fashion? some fashion?

Does the writer use Does the writer use foreshadowing or foreshadowing or flashback?flashback?

Is the plot believable Is the plot believable and effective?and effective?

Is it similar to the plot Is it similar to the plot of another story or of another story or some type of story?some type of story?

What examples from What examples from the story would support the story would support my contentions?my contentions?

POINT OF VIEWPOINT OF VIEW

Definition of Point of ViewDefinition of Point of View

Definition:Definition: The vantage point from The vantage point from which the writer of a literary work which the writer of a literary work views its events.views its events.

A writer may adapt either a first- A writer may adapt either a first- person or a third- person point of person or a third- person point of view.view.

Point of View FactorsPoint of View Factors

First- person narration is when First- person narration is when someone tells what happens and is someone tells what happens and is identified by words like: identified by words like: I, me, mine, I, me, mine, and myand my..

Third- person narrator stays Third- person narrator stays completely out of the story and is completely out of the story and is never mentioned in any way.never mentioned in any way.

Writing about Point of ViewWriting about Point of View

Key questions to remember before you begin to Key questions to remember before you begin to write.write.

What point of view What point of view is used and why?is used and why?

Is the point of view Is the point of view used suitable for used suitable for this situation?this situation?

If the story used If the story used first- person first- person narration, is the narration, is the narrator reliable?narrator reliable?

What focus would What focus would produce an produce an effective paper?effective paper?

CHARACTERCHARACTER

Character FactorsCharacter Factors

Characters in literary work function in Characters in literary work function in various ways, such as……various ways, such as……

Centers of physical and mental action,Centers of physical and mental action, Provide humor,Provide humor, Act as narrators,Act as narrators, Provide needed information, Provide needed information, Act as foils who highlight more important Act as foils who highlight more important

characters,characters, Serve as symbols, or simply populate the Serve as symbols, or simply populate the

landscape (extras).landscape (extras).

Writing about CharacterWriting about CharacterKey questions to remember before you begin to Key questions to remember before you begin to

write.write.

What characters offer What characters offer the potential for a the potential for a paper?paper?

What are their most What are their most important features?important features?

Do the characters Do the characters undergo any changes?undergo any changes?

Are the characters Are the characters believable?believable?

What focus would What focus would produce an effective produce an effective paper?paper?

What textual evidence What textual evidence could support the could support the discussion?discussion?

SETTINGSETTING

Setting FactorsSetting Factors

Setting locates characters in a time, Setting locates characters in a time, place, and culture so they can think, place, and culture so they can think, feel, and act against this feel, and act against this background.background.

Writers can generate feelings and Writers can generate feelings and moods by describing settings.moods by describing settings.

SettingsSettings

Sunny spring landscapes signal hope or Sunny spring landscapes signal hope or happiness.happiness.

Dark alleys are foreboding.Dark alleys are foreboding. Thunderstorms suggest violent possibilities.Thunderstorms suggest violent possibilities.

Writing about SettingWriting about SettingKey questions to remember before you begin to Key questions to remember before you begin to

write.write. What are its key What are its key

features?features?

What does it What does it accomplish?...accomplish?...

1.1. Create mood?Create mood?2.2. Reveal character?Reveal character?3.3. Serve as a symbol? Serve as a symbol? 4.4. Reinforce the story’s Reinforce the story’s

point?point?

How does it do these How does it do these things?things?

Does the setting seem Does the setting seem realistic?realistic?

What focus would What focus would produce an effective produce an effective paper?paper?

What textual evidence What textual evidence would support it?would support it?

SYMBOLSSYMBOLS

Symbol FactorsSymbol Factors

Used to strengthen and deepen their Used to strengthen and deepen their messages.messages.

Writer’s use symbols such as: names, Writer’s use symbols such as: names, persons, objects, places, colors, or persons, objects, places, colors, or actions.actions.

Example of a symbol used…(”Mr. Example of a symbol used…(”Mr. Grimm”)Grimm”)

IRONYIRONY

Irony FactorsIrony Factors

Irony features some discrepancy, Irony features some discrepancy, some difference between appearance some difference between appearance and reality, expectation and outcome.and reality, expectation and outcome.

Sometimes a character says one thing Sometimes a character says one thing but means something else.but means something else.

Irony also results when the reader or a Irony also results when the reader or a character recognizes something as character recognizes something as important, but another character does important, but another character does not.not.

THEMETHEME

Theme FactorsTheme Factors

The theme of literary work is its controlling The theme of literary work is its controlling idea, some observation or insight about idea, some observation or insight about life or the conditions and terms of living, life or the conditions and terms of living, such as the prevalence of evil, the such as the prevalence of evil, the foolishness of pride, or the healing power foolishness of pride, or the healing power of love.of love.

Theme is central to a work of literature, Theme is central to a work of literature, usually all of the other elements help usually all of the other elements help develop and support it.develop and support it.

Ethical IssuesEthical Issues Key questions to remember before you begin to Key questions to remember before you begin to

write.write.

Have I read the entire work carefully?Have I read the entire work carefully?

Is my interpretation supported by the Is my interpretation supported by the preponderance of textual evidence?preponderance of textual evidence?

Have I avoided using quotations that are Have I avoided using quotations that are atypical or taken out of context?atypical or taken out of context?

Is my interpretation fair to the text and the Is my interpretation fair to the text and the author rather than distorting events to author rather than distorting events to promote an agenda?promote an agenda?

Writing a Paper on LiteratureWriting a Paper on Literature55 Steps in this process Steps in this process

1.1. The writing procedure. The writing procedure. (Focusing, gathering information, (Focusing, gathering information, organizing, writing, revising, and editing– the same procedure leads to success in organizing, writing, revising, and editing– the same procedure leads to success in a literature paper as in any other type.)a literature paper as in any other type.)

2.2. Handling Quotations. Handling Quotations. (Just like aspirin, only use when necessary, (Just like aspirin, only use when necessary, but not to excess. Cite brief, relevant passages to support key ideas. Fight the but not to excess. Cite brief, relevant passages to support key ideas. Fight the urge to quote huge blocks of material.)urge to quote huge blocks of material.)

3.3. Documentation. Documentation. (Follow MLA guidelines when quoting from outside (Follow MLA guidelines when quoting from outside sources. )sources. )

4.4. Tense. Tense. (Always write your essay in the present rather than the past tense.)(Always write your essay in the present rather than the past tense.)

5.5. Include the views of others. Include the views of others. (Gather info from secondary (Gather info from secondary sources and jot down any insights you find helpful. Avoid Plagiarism!)sources and jot down any insights you find helpful. Avoid Plagiarism!)

Works cited page notesWorks cited page notes

For fiction, cite the page # of which the For fiction, cite the page # of which the quotation appeared: (92).quotation appeared: (92).

For Poetry, cite the word “line” or “lines” and For Poetry, cite the word “line” or “lines” and the appropriate numbers: (lines 23- 24)the appropriate numbers: (lines 23- 24)

For Plays, cite act, scene, and line numbers For Plays, cite act, scene, and line numbers separated by periods:separated by periods:

(1.3.18-19)(1.3.18-19) 1 Represents the act #1 Represents the act # 3 Represents the scene #3 Represents the scene #

18-19 Represents the line #18-19 Represents the line #

We’re almost done!We’re almost done!

A Street Car Named DesireA Street Car Named Desire

I need 11 volunteers I need 11 volunteers to assist me in the to assist me in the reading of this play.reading of this play.

Please keep in mind Please keep in mind the 7 Elements of the 7 Elements of literature. Notice literature. Notice how the writer uses how the writer uses each of these each of these elements while you elements while you listen to this listen to this wonderful play.wonderful play.

Thank you!Thank you!

The endThe end

Lectured by Vivian JohnsonLectured by Vivian Johnson