ExpositoryTo explain. Digging deep to show insight. This is not
a book review. You do not need to judge the quality of the work.
Instead, work to explain how it WORKS as a text. This is not really
your opinion of something. Do not use the phrases I think, I
believe, etc.
Slide 3
The lovers dreams themselves reveal most clearly that dreams
are life and vice versa. Not only does Romeo see his death before
he and Juliet have even met, later, during their relationship, it
haunts them both. When Romeo leaves Juliets room, as she looks down
on him, she says, Methinks I see thee, now thou are below./As one
dead in the bottom of a tomb (3.5.55-6). Worried that she will
never see Romeo again, she tries to believe that this is only a
fleeting vision, but [the reader] knows that Romeo will die in the
bottom of tomb.
Slide 4
How do you know if your views are right?
Slide 5
Read slowly and carefully. Plan on reading the work several
times. Ask questions to establish the literal meaning first; then
work on interpretation. Annotate as you read. Identify themes and
patterns.
Slide 6
Slide 7
Intro Thesis Body Conclusion This is where the textual support
goes.
Slide 8
Examples from the text Direct quotations Explanation of
scenes/action Assume that your audience has read the text and you
do not just need to summarize. Paraphrases Other critics opinions
Historical and social context
Slide 9
The Text (Primary Source) As you write, consistently refer to
the text to support your purpose. Use the authors own wordsquotes.
Use present tenseeven if the work is hundreds of years old.
Example: Shakespeare writes that, A rose by any other name would
smell as sweet. No right or wrong interpretation as long as you can
support it from the text. Secondary Sources Literary Criticism
Slide 10
Responding to literature with a critical temperament means
always being willing to analyze, interpret, question, synthesize,
and evaluate.
Slide 11
ANALYZE What does the passage mean, literally? INTERPRET: What
does it mean figuratively? Are there symbolic overtones? Can it
mean more than one thing? What passages in the text lead you to
believe this is a valid interpretation?
Slide 12
QUESTION: What problems are suggested by the reading? What's
confusing? If you had the author here, what would you ask? What
philosophical question(s) does the reading inspire?
Slide 13
SYNTHESIZE: How does this reading compare or contrast with what
youve read previously? How does it fit into your view of this type
of work? EVALUATE: Why is reading this text ultimately important?
What life lessons can you take from it?
Slide 14
Its literary Its an analysis Its An Argument! Uses evidence
from the text May also involve research on and analysis of
secondary sources
Slide 15
Essential Elements of the Story Structure of the Story
Rhetorical Elements Meaning of the Story Explain how the story
works
Slide 16
(1) Essential Elements of the Story Plot: Relationship and
patterns of events Characters: people the author creates Including
the narrator of a story or the speaker of a poem Setting: when and
where the action happens Point of View: perspective or attitude of
the narrator or speaker Theme: main ideawhat the work adds up
to
Slide 17
Exposition: Introductory material giving setting, tone,
characters Rising Action: series of complications leading up to the
climax Conflict: Person vsPerson, Nature, Society, Supernatural,
Self Crisis/Climax: Turning point in the conflict moment of highest
interest and/or emotion Falling Action: Events after the climax
which close the story. Resolution (Denouement): Concludes the
action
Slide 18
Introduction Rising Action Crisis/Climax Falling Action
Resolution Complications leading to Conflict(s)
Slide 19
Protagonist Main character Antagonist Character or force that
opposes the main character Foil Character that provides a contrast
to the protagonist Round Three-dimensional personality Flat Only
one or two striking qualitiesall bad or all good Dynamic Grows and
progress to a higher level of understanding Static Remain unchanged
throughout the story
Slide 20
First Person Narrator is a character within the storyreveals
own thoughts and feelings but not those of others Third Person
Objective: narrator outside the story acts as a reportercannot tell
what characters are thinking Limited: narrator outside the story
but can see into the mind of one of the characters Omniscient:
narrator is all-knowing outsider who can enter the mind of more
than one character.
Slide 21
Time period Geographical location Historical and cultural
context Social Political Spiritual Instrumental in establishing
mood May symbolizes the emotional state of characters Impact on
characters motivations and options
Slide 22
Main idea or underlying meaning of the literary work. What the
author wants the reader to understand about the subject In fables,
this may also be the moral of the story
Slide 23
Questions, issues or problems: what is right or wrong; good or
bad; worthwhile or unimportant Abstract ideas: love, death, honor
Conflicts: freedom vs. restraint, poverty vs. wealth Common topics:
self-realization, mortality, fall from innocence, search for the
meaning of life.
Slide 24
(2) Structure of the Story: design or form of the completed
action May philosophically mirror the authors intentions How the
author uses the elements of the story to reveal his/her theme Look
for repeated elements in action, gestures, dialogue, description as
well as shifts in direction, focus, time, place, etc.
Slide 25
(3) Rhetorical Elements: Identify the authors use and explain
their importance Foreshadowing Use of hints or clues to suggest
event that will occur later in the story Builds suspensemeans of
making the narrative more believable Tone Authors attitudestated or
impliedtoward the subject Revealed through word choice and
details
Slide 26
Mood Climate of feeling in a literary work Choice of setting,
objects, details, images, words Symbolism Person, place, object
which stand for larger and more abstract ideas American flag =
freedom Dove = peace
Slide 27
Irony: contrast between what is expected or what appears to be
and what actually is Verbal Ironycontrast between what is said and
what is actually meant Irony of Situationan event that is the
opposite of what is expected or intended Dramatic IronyAudience or
reader knows more than the characters know
Slide 28
Figurative Language: language that goes beyond the literal
meaning of words Simile Metaphor Personification Oxymoron
Hyperbole
Slide 29
(4) Meaning of the Story (Interpretation) Identify the theme(s)
and how the author announces it. Explain how the story elements
contribute to the theme. Identify contextual elements (allusions,
symbols, other devices) that point beyond the story to the authors
life/experience, history or to other writings.
Slide 30
Honors Quotes are past due Outline due 4/15 Turn in Rough by
4/19 Peer Editing in Computer Lab 4/20-4/21 Final Draft due
4/25
Slide 31
Adapted from a powerpoint by Mack Gipson, Jr. Tutorial and
Enrichment Center Gayla S. Keesee Education Specialist Paper
example from Writing Literature Essays: 20 Student Models