Why We Study Literature

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Chapter 1 Prepared by SaraCushing

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Literature: AnIntroduction to

Reading and Writing

Chapter 1


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What is Literature, and

Why Do We Study It? compositions that tell stories,dramatize situations, express

emotions, and analyze or advocateideas

Most began as oral tradition.

[W]e gain much from it.


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Why Do We Study It? Literature helps us grow, bothpersonally and intellectually. Itopens doors for us. It stretches ourunderstanding, and enlarges ourpower of sympathy. It helps us seebeauty in the world around us.


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Why Do We Study It? It links us with the cultural,philosophical, and religious world ofwhich we are a part.It enables us tosee worthiness in the aims of allpeople.


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Why Do We Study It?

It makes us human.


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Types of Literature:

The Genres Prose fiction Poetry

Drama Non-fiction prose


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Fiction Short stories Novels

The essence of fiction is narration,the relating or recounting of asequence of events or actions.


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Poetry If prose is expansive, poetry tendstoward brevity.Poetrys power lies

not only in its words and thoughts,but also in its music, using rhyme andvariety of rhythms to intensify itsemotional impact.


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Drama Drama is literature designed forstage or film.The essence of drama

is the development of character andsituation through speech and action.

Early drama was poetry.


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The Genres Prose fiction myths

parables

romances

novels

short stories

Poetry sonnet and villanelle

ballad and epic

blank verse

couplets

elegies

epigrams hymns

limericks

songs or lyrics


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The Genres Non-fiction prose news reports

feature articles

essays

editorials

textbooks

diaries journals

historical andbiographical works


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Guidelines for Reading Observations for basic understanding Explain words, situations, and

concepts. Determine what is happening in the

work setting, characters, point ofview


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Guidelines for Reading Notes on first impressions Make a record of your reactions and

responses. Describe interesting characterizations,

events, techniques, and ideas.


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Guidelines for Reading Development of ideas andenlargement of responses

Trace developing patterns.conflicts. Write expanded notes about

characters, situations, and actions.

Always write down questions that comeup during your reading.


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Raise and Answer Your

Own Questions What is happening as the workunfolds? How does an action at the

works beginning bring about theworks later actions and speeches?

Who are the main characters? What

seems unusual or different aboutwhat they do in the work?


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Own Questions What conclusions can you draw about theworks actions, scenes, and situations?Explain these conclusions.

What are the characters and speakerslike? What do they do and say aboutthemselves, their goals, the people aroundthem, their families, their friends,, their

work, and the general circumstances oftheir lives?


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Own Questions What kinds of words do thecharacters use: formal or informal

words, slang or profanity?


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Writing Essays on

Literary Topics Writing does not come easily foranyone.

A major purpose of your being incollegeis to develop your capacity tothink and to express thoughts clearly

and fully.


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The Writing Process Planning brainstorming, clustering, freewriting,

outlining Drafting

Revising and editing

Use the process carefully. Use yourcolored pencils.


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The Goal of Writing: To

Show a Process of Thought Do not rehash theplot.

[Y]our goal shouldalways be toexplainthe work

you are analyzing.


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I disagree. I totally disagree with Robertssassertion about assuming the reader

knows the work. Instead, include theplot summary in the openingparagraph that includes the wholestory, not just a teaser.


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The Need to Present anArgument When WritingEssays about Literature

proveor demonstratea point or

idea about it. use the material from the story to

prove your assertion (specifics)


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Approaches Determine the Works HistoricalPeriod and Background

Describe the Economic and SocialConditions Depicted in the Work Explain the Works Major Ideas Learn about and Describe the

Works Artistic Qualities


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Verb tense [W]hen writing about literature, youshould use thepresent tense of verbs.

Mathilde and her husband workandeconomize[not workedandeconomized] for ten years to pay off

the 18,000-franc debt they undertake[not undertook] to

pay for the lost necklace.


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Introduction Title Author

Plot summary transition

Thesis: topic and assertion


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Authors Name In the first sentence, use the authorswhole name.

Eudora Weltys A Worn Path is the storyof an old African-American woman by thename of Phoenix Jackson, who walks thelong miles into town to get much-needed

medicine for her sick grandchild thatswallowed lye years ago.


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Authors Name In later paragraphs, use the authorslast name only.

Weltys Phoenix Jackson is a modelfor love, dedication, bravery, anddetermination.


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Body The specifics with references to thetext.

Incorporate quotes smoothly intoyour text. Phoenixs eyes [are] blue with age

(139), meaning that she can hardly

see due to cataracts.


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Conclusion Restate what you have proven. Broaden out.

If there were more people in the worldwith the drive and determination ofPhoenix, the world would be a betterplace. Young people need role models

like her.


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Guidelines Never just retell the story orsummarize the work. Bring in story

materials only when you can use themas support for your central idea orargument.

Throughout your essay, keepreminding the reader of your centralidea.


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Guidelines Within each paragraph, make surethat you stress your topic idea.

Develop your subject. Make itbigger than it was when you began.

Always make your statements exact,

comprehensive, and forceful.


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Chapter 1 Prepared by SaraCushin 32

Guidelines [R]emember, never justretell the story orsummarize the work.

Not just plot!

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