GREAT BOOKS Prelims

literature

the art of written or spoken expression that captures and conveys human experiences, emotions, ideas, and imagination through language

littera

literature came from a latin word, which is?

letters

the latin word littera means what?

true

(T/F) literature, from the latin word littera meaning letters, refers to the written works of a particular culture, subculture, religion, and philosophy

• prose

• poetry

• drama

these are the 3 forms of literature

prose

is a written or spoken language that follows natural speech patterns, used for most everyday writing

no

does prose have a formal structure like rhyme and meter?

• fictional prose

• nonfictional prose

what are the 2 main types of prose?

fictional prose

this prose tells made-up stories created from the writer’s imagination

nonfictional prose

this prose presents facts, real events, or opinions based on truth

• novel

• short story

• fable

• fairy tale

• myth

• legend

these are the 6 common subgenres of fictional prose

novel

a long, structured narrative with complex characters and multiple intertwined events

short story

a brief, focused narrative that centers on a single event, character, or theme

fable

a short tale that features animal characters and conveys a lesson

fairy tale

a magical story with fantastical elements and a lesson, often passed down through generations

myth

a traditional tale that explains origins, nature, or culture, often involving gods or supernatural beings

legend

a story passed down through generations, blending historical facts with fictional elements, often centered on heroes

novel

this is an example of which fictional prose subgenre?

• don quixote

short story

this is an example of which fictional prose subgenre?

• the necklace

fable

this is an example of which fictional prose subgenre?

• the tortoise and the hare

fairy tale

these are examples of which fictional prose subgenre?

• cinderella, snow white

myth

this is an example of which fictional prose subgenre?

• the myth of prometheus (greek)

legend

this is an example of which fictional prose subgenre?

• king arthur and the knights of the round table

miguel de cervantes

who wrote “don quixote”?

guy de maupassant

who wrote “the necklace”?

aesop

who wrote “the tortoise and the hare”?

• biography

• autobiography

• memoir

• essay

• speech

these are the 5 common subgenres of nonfictional prose

biography

a detailed account of a person’s life story written by someone else

autobiography

a person’s life story written by themselves

memoir

a personal account focusing on specific memories, experiences, or themes

essay

a short piece that presents, explains, argues, or reflects an idea

speech

a written text intended to be spoken aloud to inform, persuade, or inspire

biography

this is an example of which nonfictional prose subgenre?

• leonardo da vinci

autobiography

this is an example of which nonfictional prose subgenre?

• the story of my life

memoir

this is an example of which nonfictional prose subgenre?

• educated

essay

this is an example of which nonfictional prose subgenre?

• self-reliance

speech

this is an example of which nonfictional prose subgenre?

• i have a dream

walter isaacson

who wrote “leonardo da vinci”?

helen keller

who wrote “the story of my life”?

tara westover

who wrote “educated”?

ralph waldo emerson

who wrote “self-reliance”?

martin luther king jr.

who wrote “i have a dream”?

poetry

is a form of creative expression that conveys feelings, thoughts, or ideas through a vivid language, rhythm, and sound

true

(T/F) poetry is typically arranged in lines and stanzas and may or may not include rhyme

• haiku

• sonnet

• free verse

• limerick

• ballad

these are the 5 forms of poetry

haiku

a 3 line poem with 5-7-5 syllables, often focused on nature

sonnet

a 14 line poem with a specific rhyme scheme, often exploring love or reflection

free verse

a poem without fixed rhyme or meter, mimics natural speech

limerick

a humorous 5 line poem with AABBA rhyme scheme

ballad

a narrative poem that tells a story, often meant to be sung

haiku

this is an example of which form of poetry?

• the old pond

sonnet

this is an example of which form of poetry?

• sonnet 18

free verse

this is an example of which form of poetry?

• song of myself

limerick

this is an example of which form of poetry?

• the adventurous man from peru

ballad

this is an example of which form of poetry?

• the rime of the ancient mariner

matsuo basho

who wrote “the old pond”?

william shakespeare

who wrote “sonnet 18”?

walt whitman

who wrote “song of myself”?

samuel taylor coleridge

who wrote “the rime of the ancient mariner”?

drama

is a form of literature written to be performed by actors

through dialogue, movement, and stage directions

how does drama tell a story?

• tragedy

• comedy

• musical

• historical drama

these are the 4 genres of drama

tragedy

a serious drama where the main character faces downfall or death

comedy

a humorous play with light-hearted events, often ending happily

musical

a play where music, songs, and dance help tell the story

historical drama

a play based on real historical events or figures

tragedy

this is an example of which genre of drama?

• romeo and juliet

comedy

this is an example of which genre of drama?

• a midsummer night’s dream

musical

this is an example of which genre of drama?

• the phantom of the opera

historical drama

this is an example of which genre of drama?

• the crucible

william shakespeare

who wrote “romeo and juliet”?

william shakespeare

who wrote “a midsummer night’s dream“?

andrew lloyd webber

who wrote “the phantom of the opera“?

arthur miller

who wrote “the crucible“?

literary devices

are a broad category that encompasses both literary elements and techniques used by authors to enhance storytelling

literary elements

are the basic components of storytelling that work together to shape the structure and meaning of a literary text

• plot

• setting

• character

• conflict

• point of view (POV)

these are the 5 components of literary elements

plot

refers to the sequence of events that make up a story

• exposition

• rising action

• climax

• falling action

• resolution

these are the 5 elements of plot structure

exposition

this is the part where the setting, characters, and initial solution are introduced

rising action

a series of events that build suspense and develop the central conflict

climax

the most intense point of the story, where the conflict reaches its peak, and the outcome begins to shift

falling action

the events that follow the climax and lead the story toward resolution

resolution

the story’s conclusion, where conflicts are resolved and the ending is revealed

true

(T/F) in resolution, the ending can be happy, sad, or left open for interpretation

setting

refers to the time and place where a story takes place, which can influence the mood and the actions of the characters

character

refers to the people, animals, or beings in a story

• protagonist

• antagonist

these 2 are some common types of characters

protagonist

the main character in the story whose journey, actions, thoughts, and development the audience follows

antagonist

the character or force that opposes the protagonist

conflict

refers to the struggle between opposing forces that drives the story forward

it builds tension and contributes to character development

what else does conflict do?

• character vs. character

• character vs. self

• character vs. society

there are 3 common types of conflict in literature, which are?

character vs. character

this conflict occurs when a character struggles against another. their opposing goals, beliefs, and actions create tension in the story

character vs. self

in this internal conflict, a character struggles with personal doubts, emotions, or difficult decisions

true

(T/F) character vs. self often highlights the character’s growth or inner change

character vs. society

this conflict happens when a character challenges societal norms, laws, or expectations

themes of justice, freedom, or individuality

what themes does the character vs. society conflict explore?

point of view (POV)

refers to the lens through which the story is told

• first person

• third person limited

• third person omniscient

writers can choose from different points of view, such as these 3