Wesleyan: Module 1: Review Introduction To Literature Week 1 & 2 I. Learning Outcomes
Wesleyan: Module 1: Review Introduction To Literature Week 1 & 2 I. Learning Outcomes
WESLEYAN
An Autonomous Methodist University
Modular Instruction in
WORLD LITERATURE
MODULE 1: REVIEW
Introduction to Literature
Week 1 & 2
I. Learning Outcomes
Recall the literary terms that will be beneficial in dealing with literary analysis
III. Introduction
IV. Body
Definitions of Literature
a. Literature is a body of written works. The name has traditionally been applied to those
imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and
the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution (Rexroth, n.d.)
c. Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived
from the Latin word litteratura meaning "writing formed with letters," literature most
commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including
poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song
(Lombardi, 2020).
d. Literature refers primarily to written texts, therefore, it is simply anything that is written
(Bressler, 2011).
Purposes of Literature
Division of Literature
a) Prose - is a literary piece which is written in the pattern of ordinary spoken language
and within the common flow of conversation. It is written in sentences and paragraphs. It
is derived from the Latin word prosa which means ‘straightforward’. It is the language of
the mind.
b) Poetry - refers to those expressions in verse, with measures, rhymes, lines, stanzas
and melodious tones. It came from the Greek word poiesis which means ‘making’. It is
the language of the mind.
Types of Prose
a) Fiction - is a series of imagined facts which shows truths about human life.
Kinds:
4. Adventures – These feature physical action and courageous heroes who save
others from danger or impending doom. The adventure genre of fiction is fast-
paced and usually centers on a protagonist in a dangerous or risky situation.
6. Drama – This is usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion
are expressed through dialogue and action.
7. Fairy Tale – This is a story about fairies or other magical creatures in a magical
world.
Kinds:
Branches of Poetry
1. Lyric Poetry – In early days, it was meant to be sung to the accompaniment of a musical
instrument known as lyre.
a. Song – short lyric poem which has a specific melodious quality and is adapted
to be sung.
b. Ode – a poem meant to be sung but longer than a song. It is often addressed to
someone or something.
b. Ballad – short simple narrative poem composed to be sung and is orally told
from one generation to another.
Elements of a Story
A. The Characters
B. The Plot
C. Point of View
A. The Characters - the people, or sometimes the animals, who participate in the action
of a literary work
Methods of Characterization
1) Direct or Expository Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the
character is.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey
their mother.”
Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two
children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”
Explanation: This reveals that the cat’s character is an upbeat character that likes to have
fun.
b.2. Round – This character shows fluidity and the capacity for change
from the moment we meet them as he is someone who is three
dimensional; complex; many-sided; with a fully developed personality.
c.1. Static – This character does not noticeably change over the course of
a story. Many villains are also static: They were evil yesterday, they’ll be
evil today, and they’ll be evil tomorrow.
B. The Plot
1. Introduction/Exposition
This is the start of the story, where we meet the main character or characters,
understand the setting, and deduce the conflict.
For example, we might meet a main character, named Fiona, who just moved to
Ireland, and is writing her first book. There, we meet the main character, understand she's
in a new country, and will watch her push to overcome the trials and tribulations that come
from each of these new elements.
2. Rising Action
In the rising action, we watch a series of events unfold. There's not much in a story
if everything works out perfectly and there are zero bumps in the road. We need a little
conflict.
Conflict can come in many forms. Continuing with Fiona, perhaps she's battling
some sort of internal conflict. We might see her doubt her decision to move so far away
from home. Or, with regard to her book, perhaps she submits it to her agent and it's torn
to shreds.
Maybe she meets some devilish Irish lad who distracts her from her primary
purpose, and she must realign her priorities. The possibilities for action - and conflict - are
endless.
Conflict – clash of opposing forces in the story. Usually, the main character struggles
against some other force.
Kinds of Conflict
b.1. External Conflict – the clash of the character with the forces outside him,
natural, social or both.
Man Versus Man – This is the most common type of external conflict. In
this type of conflict, the protagonist, or main character, faces off with an
antagonist who must be defeated. This conflict happens when a hero
fights a villain.
Man Versus Society – The protagonist questions and perhaps rebels
against the social norms of their community or of society at large. It could
be social evils or discrimination practiced by society that is opposed by
a minority.
Man Versus Nature – These occur when a character, or characters, find
themselves at odds with forces of nature. The character's enemy is not
another person, but instead the natural world. Often, the protagonist is
stranded in the wilderness, threatened by a storm or blizzard, or struck
by a terrible disease, and must fight for their life.
Man Versus Fate – This happen when a character is compelled to follow
an unknown destiny. This exists in any story in which the protagonist is
struggling against a god or gods. This conflict is sometimes considered
part of "Man vs. Self" when focused on an internal, moral struggle,
while forcing a character to consciously, or subconsciously, act on his or
her fate.
Man Versus Supernatural – This occurs when a character battles that
which is beyond nature. It can’t be explained by natural law. This could
be monsters, aliens, witches, vampires, mythical creatures, and so forth.
Man Versus Technology – This happens when a person is in direct
combat with robots, in the context of science fiction, or it could mean
simply that technology, or man-made entities which may possess
"artificial intelligence", stands in the way of the protagonist getting what
he wants.
Man Versus Self - This conflict takes place within the mind of the main
character, and often involves the character making a decision between
right and wrong, or other mixed emotions. However, this struggle could
also exist in the form of a character battling mental illness.
3. Climax
The climax of a story is the peak of the action. At this point, we've watched the
main character confront the action or conflict, and now something major has to come to
a head.
Perhaps Fiona makes a new acquaintance who takes on a motherly role, reducing
those feelings of doubt about moving so far away from home. Perhaps she submits the
revised version of her book and it's accepted. Maybe she tells the devilish lad she's not
interested so she can focus on her work.
Just as there are many avenues for action and conflict, there are many ways to
bring a story to a climax. This will be the moment that stirs up the strongest sense of
emotion in the reader.
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
In any story, it's important to conclude with a solid resolution, sometimes called
the denouement. Here, we learn of the final outcome of the tale. Short stories, in
particular, need a defined ending. Books, however, can remain somewhat open-ended.
But, you must bring the story to a close with either a tragic or a happy ending.
Perhaps Fiona is purchasing a crumbling mansion in Ireland with the royalties from
her book. Or, maybe she'll move back to her home country, cherishing her Irish adventure
for what it was. Either way, readers want to experience some sort of finite conclusion, or
resolution.
C. Point of View - Point of view in fiction simply means who tells the story.
1. First Person Point of View – A character in the story serves as the narrator, using "I"
or "we" as the story plays out. This narrator might be a relatively minor character,
observing the action.
2. Second Person Point of View - The reader becomes the main character, addressed
as "you" throughout the story and being immersed in the narrative. The narrator
describes what "you" do and lets you into your own thoughts and background.
Types:
3.1. Objective - The narrator reports the events that take place without
knowing the motivations or thoughts of any of the characters. We know little about
what drives them until we hear them speak or observe their actions. The resulting
tone is often matter-of-fact, not colored by any opinions or commentary, nor of
knowledge of what takes place outside the scene.
3.2. Limited - The narrator still exists outside the events of the story, but
does not know the motivations or thoughts of all the characters. Rather, one
character is the driver of the story, and the reader is given a closer peek into
that character’s psyche than the others.
3.3. Omniscient - An omniscient narrator knows every character’s thoughts,
feelings, and motivations even if that character doesn’t reveal any of those
things to the other characters.
Literature is derived from the Latin word litteratura which means writing formed
with letters. It is defined as written works that have lasting value. It reflects humanity.
Lastly, life is manifested in the form of literary pieces.
VI. References:
Bressler, C. E. (2011). Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice (5th ed.).
Pearson.
California Department of Education. (n.d.). All Fiction. cte.univ-setif2.dz
Cascio, C. (n.d.). Types of Conflict That Can Be Found in a Narrative. Seattle Pi.
Retrieved Sept. 29, 2020 from https://education.seattlepi.com/types-conflict-
can-found-narrative-3739.html
Debranda. (2014, June 10). Types of Nonfiction [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare.
https://www.slideshare.net/debranda/types-of-nonfiction
External Conflict. (n.d.). LitCharts. Retrieved Sept. 29, 2020 from
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%20
Garcia, G. (2012, July 14). Prose and Poetry [PowerPoint slides]. SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/GeraldinGarcia2/prose-and-
poetry?from_action=save
Lombardi, E. (2020, January 31). What Literature Can Teach Us. ThoughtCo.
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Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Literature. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved
September 28, 2020, from www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literature
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Point of View : I t's Per sona l. In Merriam-Webster.com
dictionary. Retrieved Sept. 29, 2020, from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/words-at-play/point-of-view-first-second-third-person-
difference
Rexroth, K. (n.d.). Literature. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/literature
Ryan, M. (2012). An Introduction to Criticism: Literature, Film, Culture. UK: Blackwell.