2 Literary Vocabulary

Chapter & Discussion

This chapter includes a presentation that can be navigated in a classroom setting or independently. You can access the presentation via the link below.

Deconstructing Literature: An Overview of Literary Vocabulary

Work through the different sections of the chapter and discuss ideas and topics as they arise. If you’re working independently, take notes instead. Notes and active discussion will be helpful in navigating this week’s assignments.

What is Literature?

In an academic setting, the word literature is used to refer to any type of story. We also use the word narrative to note anything with story elements in it.

Reading stories is different from reading for information, so we split these into separate categories.

Storytelling is an artistic expression. We can think critically and discuss all kinds of interesting phenomena.

The goal of today’s discussion is to build on your literary vocabulary by discussing common terms that scholars use when discussing literature. These terms form a framework for literary discussion and these concepts will help us better understand the art of storytelling.

Elements of Literature

These are the biggest working pieces of storytelling. They are seen as the most important concepts in literature. They are:

Theme– The message, moral, perspective, or worldview that the story was written to communicate. The “thing that the author has to say.”
Setting– The time, place, and special circumstances in which the action takes place.
Characters– The people* that are involved in the action.
Plot– What happens; which is ultimately the consequences of the characters’ choices.

Passages

Passages are the actual writing in a narrative. They usually look like paragraphs.

Descriptive Passages tell us about the setting or circumstances. Their job is to illustrate the scene.
Action Passages tell us what’s happening in the narrative.
Dialogue Passages tell us what the characters are saying (or thinking).

Story Arc

The Story Arc is a way of envisioning where we are in the story. It’s usually a measure of tension over time.

Exposition is when the author gives us background information.
Rising Action is when tension builds in the story as a result of conflict.
Climax refers to the height of the action. The big choice that determines the outcome.
Resolution is when the author tells us the details of how things end up.

Literary Devices

Authors use literary devices to share their voice in writing. They usually help an author to sound unique and to communicate ideas. Examples include:
Metaphor– A poetic comparison to two things. The qualities of one are usually carried over to the other.
Foreshadowing– when an author hints at things to come later in the story
Imagery– Where an author uses vivid description to help you picture an idea or scene

And there are many more literary devices.

Assigned Reading

Here are this week’s readings. Additionally, please read for your own personal enjoyment for 1/2 hour each day. This will be called your “Reading Zone” reading and it will coincide with many upcoming activities.

How to Write Descriptively by Nalo Hopkinson (via TEDEd)

How to Discuss Literature by Kevan Bennett et al (via Palm Beach State College)