INTRO TO LITERATURE AND ANCIENT TEXTS

Prose

a written or spoken language that follows natural speech patterns.

Literature

refers to the written works of particular culture, subculture, religion, or philosophy

Littera

Letters

Fictional prose

made-up stories from writer’s imagination

Nonfictional prose

facts, real events, or opinions based on truth

Nove

A long structured narrative that features 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

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 on an idea

Speech

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

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 an AABBA rhyme scheme

Balad

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

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

Literary devices

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

It refers to the sequence of events that make up a story. It includes elements of plot structure.

Rising Action

A series of events that build suspense and develop the central conflict.

Exposition

This is the part where the setting, characters, and initial situation are introduced

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. The ending can be happy, sad, or left open for interpretation.

Setting

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

Character

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

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

It refers to the struggle between opposing forces that drives the story forward. It builds tension and contributes to character development.

Character vs. Character

This conflict occurs when a character struggles against another. Their opposing goals, beliefs, or actions create tension in the story.

Character vs. Self

In this internal conflict, a character struggles with personal doubts, emotions, or difficult decisions. It often highlights the character’s growth or inner change

Character vs. Society

This conflict happens when a character challenges societal norms, laws, or expectations. It often explores themes of justice, freedom, or individuality.

Point of View

It refers to the lens through which the story is told. Writers can choose from different points of view.

First Person

The story is narrated by a main character using pronouns like I, me, my, and our. This point of view gives a personal and intimate perspective.

Third Person Limited

The narrator uses he, she, or they and focuses on the thoughts and experiences of one character.

Third Person Omniscient

The narrator knows and describes the thoughts, feelings, and actions of multiple characters.

Literary techniques

Are specific methods authors use to convey meaning, enhance style, and engage the reader

Symbolism

This uses objects, actions, or events to represent deeper meanings beyond their literal sense.

Metaphor

It is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." It helps readers understand one concept by relating it to another.

Irony

This highlights a contrast between expectations and reality, often to create surprise, humor, or insight.

Verbal Irony

When someone says the opposite of what they mean.

Situational Irony

When the actual outcome is the opposite of what was expected.

Imagery

This uses vivid, sensory language to create strong mental pictures and appeal to the reader’s five senses.

Heroism and Moral Values

Ancient texts feature heroic figures whose actions reflect cultural ideals such as courage, honor, and loyalty. Their choices reveal personal and societal values.

Fate and Divine Will

Many works explore how fate and the will of gods or supernatural forces often shape human lives, emphasizing divine control or influence over events.

The Human Condition and Mortality

These texts reflect on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the desire for legacy or immortality, as in The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Oral Tradition

The practice of passing down stories, values, and knowledge through spoken words across generations. It includes storytelling, songs, proverbs, and chants, especially in societies without written language, to preserve a community’s history and beliefs

Epics

These are long narrative poems that recount the heroic journeys of legendary figure

Epos

Story and Poem

Ancient Literature

This refers to the earliest written works created before 500 BCE. Found in civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, and Greece, these texts include epics, religious writings, myths, laws, and philosophy. Often inscribed on clay tablets or papyrus, they reveal early societies’ values and shaped later literary traditions.