Introduction to Literature

litera (letter, words)

The word literature is derived from the latin word _______ which means ______ or ______.

Literature

total of preserved writings/spoken words belonging to a given language or people.

Prose, Non-prose (poetry)

Based on structure

Fiction, Non-fiction

Based on Content

Prose

written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without the structured metrical patterns found in poetry. It's the natural flow of speech, used in most forms of written communication, including novels, essays, and articles.

Novels

usually with complex characters, plot development, and detailed settings. They explore various themes and ideas over a long narrative.

Short Story

focusing on a single incident or theme, with a limited number of characters and a concise plot.

Plays

written works intended to be performed on stage by actors. They consist of dialogues between characters and are structured into acts and scenes. The primary focus is on the performance, emotions, and dialogue rather than narrative description.

Legends

traditional stories or myths passed down through generations, often based on historical events or figures but embellished with fantastical elements. They are semi-historical, containing some truth but primarily serving as cultural tales.

Fables

short, fictional stories, usually featuring animals as characters, that convey a moral or lesson. These tales are simple and often end with a clear, explicit teaching.

Essay

a short, non-fictional piece of writing that presents the author's argument, analysis, or perspective on a particular subject.

Biography

a detailed account of a person's life written by someone else. It covers the person's experiences, achievements, and personal history in narrative form.

News

factual reports of recent events, usually published in newspapers, broadcast on television, or shared online. It aims to inform the public about significant occurrences, locally or globally.

Oration

a formal, often eloquent, public speech given to inform, persuade, or inspire an audience. It typically follows a structured form and is used in ceremonies, political events, or public debates.

Non-Prose (Poetry)

form of literary art that uses rhythm, meter, and sound to convey emotions and ideas, often with the use of figurative language.

Epic, Metrical Tale, Ballads

Narrative Poetry

Narrative Poetry

tells a story through verse. It combines the elements of both storytelling and poetry, using characters, dialogue, and plot, often written in a rhythmic, metered form.

Epic

detailing the adventures of heroic figures or events of historical or mythical significance. It typically spans vast settings and addresses themes of great importance to a culture.

Metrical Tale

narrative poem written in regular metered verse, usually simpler and shorter than an epic. It focuses on the personal adventures and experiences of its characters.

Ballad

narrative poems or songs that tell a story, often about love, tragedy, or heroism. Traditionally passed down orally, they are composed in simple language and follow a regular rhyme and meter.

Folk Songs, Sonnets, Ode

Lyric Poetry

Lyric Poetry

emotional form of poetry that expresses personal feelings or thoughts. It focuses on capturing a moment, mood, or experience.

Folk Songs

traditional songs passed down orally that reflect the culture, history, and experiences of a community. They often include simple, repetitive lyrics and are accompanied by music.

Sonnets

form of lyric poetry consisting of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, traditionally iambic pentameter. They typically explore themes of love, nature, or philosophical ideas.

Ode

a formal, often ceremonious lyric poem that praises or glorifies an individual, event, or object. It expresses elevated emotion and deep reflection on the subject.

Dramatic Poetry

type of poetry written in verse that presents a dialogue or monologue, often intended for theatrical performance. It focuses on character interaction and the expression of emotions, similar to a play but written in poetic form.

Literature of Power

Fiction is a?

Literature of Knowledge

Non-fiction is a?

Fiction

refers to literary works designed to move, entertain, or emotionally engage readers, often through imagination, creativity, and the portrayal of human experience.

Myths

Traditional stories, often involving gods, heroes, or supernatural elements, that explain natural phenomena, cultural practices, or fundamental human experiences.

Non-fiction

refers to works intended to inform, educate, or provide factual content to the reader. This type of literature deals with real events, people, and ideas.

Literary Devices

refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her message(s) in a simple manner to his or her readers.

Literary Elements, Literary Techniques

Literary Devices

Literary Elements

have an inherent existence in literary piece and are extensively employed by writers to develop a literary piece.

Literary Techniques

are structures usually a words or phrases in literary texts that writers employ to achieve not merely artistic ends but also readers a greater understanding and appreciation of their literary works.

Poems, short stories, novels, plays, myths

Example of Fiction

biographies, news

Example of Non-fiction

Novels, Short Story, Plays, Legends, Fables, Essay, Biography, News, Oration

Example of Prose

Narrative Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Dramatic Poetry

Example of Non-prose (poetry)

Feminism, New Historicism, Formalism or New Criticism

Literary Approaches

Feminism

often associated with literary pieces written by women that deal with women in the society.

New Historicism

It deals with the cultural context during writing of the piece of literature. This approach interprets literature for it's meaning or idea in a particular socio- historical atmosphere.

Formalism or New Criticism

formulated by the information and details of the piece itself. It focuses on rhetorical and logical connections within the writing.

Symbolism

It refers in using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.

Flashback

-tells an interjected scene of the story that takes it back in time from the current point in the story and often used to tell the events that happened before another important event

Flash Forward

tells a scene that takes the narrative to a future time from the current point of the story

Cliffhanger

tells and abrupt ending which places the main characters in a perilous situation with no resolution

Foreshadowing

Important hints that an author drops to prepare the reader for what is to
come, and help the reader anticipate the outcome.

Imagery

It is the use of figurative language to create visual representations of
actions, objects and
ideas in our mind in such a way that they appeal to our different senses

Simile and Metaphor

Both compare two distinct objects and draws similarity between them. The difference is that Simile uses "as" or "like" and Metaphor does not.

Personification

attribution of human qualities to something that is non-human like
objects and animals.

Hyperbole

It is deliberate exaggeration of actions and ideas for the sake of emphasis

Plot, Setting, Protagonist, Antagonist, Point of View, Conflict, Mood, Tone, Theme

Literary Elements

Plot

It is the logical sequence of events that develops a story.

Setting

It refers to the time and place in which a story takes place.

Protagonist

"good guy". It is the main character of story, novel or a play

Antagonist

" bad guy". It is the character in conflict with the Protagonist

Point of View

The person or entity through whom the reader experiences the
story.

Conflict

It is an issue in a narrative around which the whole story revolves.

Mood

A general atmosphere of a narrative.

Tone

The "attitude" of the speaker, narrator as conveyed through the language of the piece.

Theme

It is central idea or concept of a story.