Literature

What is literature?

The collected oral and written works of a society depicting its beliefs, values, mores, aspirations, and struggles in life.

Define oral literature.

Oral literature, or 'orature', refers to the body of works that exist in oral form, such as folktales, myths, and legends.

What are the three major types of literature?

Poetry, Prose, and Drama.

What is lyric poetry?

Lyric poetry is intended to be sung, expresses the emotions and feelings of the poet, and is usually short, simple, and easy to understand.

Define sonnet.

A sonnet is a 14-line poem that has been popularized by Italian and English writers.

What is an elegy?

An elegy is a poem expressing deep grief for someone who has passed away, typically performed even after a funeral.

What is a rhyme scheme?

The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem, described using letters to denote which lines rhyme with each other.

What is narrative poetry?

Long descriptive poetry about life and events that may be real or imaginary, telling a story with a sequential order of events.

What distinguishes dramatic poetry from narrative poetry?

Dramatic poetry emphasizes character and is intended for performance, while narrative poetry focuses on telling a story.

What are the elements of a story?

Characters, Setting, Plot, Conflict, Suspense, Point of View, Mood, Style, and Theme.

What is a protagonist?

The main character or hero in a narrative.

Define conflict in literature.

The challenge or struggle that characters face, which can be man vs. man, man vs. society, man vs. himself, or man vs. nature.

What is the purpose of foreshadowing?

To provide hints or clues about what will happen later in the story, creating anticipation and suspense.

What is the theme of a story?

The overall message or underlying idea that the story conveys.

What is the difference between formal and informal essays?

Formal essays address serious subjects like theology or politics, while informal essays express the writer's view on any subject in a casual manner.

What is tragedy in drama?

A dramatic form involving a principal character struggling against forces; the action usually ends unhappily.

What is a comedy in drama?

A dramatic form that aims to amuse the audience, often ending happily while conveying serious themes with humor.