Important Elements of Literature
"How can a story be analyzed, and what am I looking for in it?"
The study of literature is the study of life through the eyes of an artist, and as such is an important part of a liberal arts education.
Composition students in ENG 102 often engage in literary analysis. When you analyze a literary text, you will deal with basic elements of literature, like plot, theme, character, point of view, and setting. Close study of these elements will then lead to an essay focusing on one aspect of the work.
Literary analysis is also known as literary criticism. In this context, "criticism" means a close reading and interpretation of a literary text, such as a poem, a short story, a play, a novel, or even a movie. The elements that make up a literary work are closely examined for their meaning and significance. Some of these elements are theme, character, and plot. Regardless of what aspect you choose to write about, your essay will focus on one controlling idea that can be stated in one direct sentence. For example: "Although most critics regard Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra as a great love tragedy, it is actually a mockery of a tragedy, for Cleopatra is incapable of love, and Antony is interested only in sex." This student then introduced evidence from the play to prove her thesis.
Following are some thoughts to keep in mind when you analyze literary texts:
The Nine Key Elements of Fiction:
1. CHARACTER
There are two meanings for the word character:
1) The person in a work of fiction.
2) The characteristics of a person.
Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist o One character is clearly central to a story with all major events having some connection to this character; o She/he is the PROTAGONIST. o The character in opposition to the main character is called the ANTAGONIST.
The Characteristics of a Person
In order for a story to seem real to the reader, its characters must seem
The study of literature is the study of life through the eyes of an artist, and as such is an important part of a liberal arts education.
Composition students in ENG 102 often engage in literary analysis. When you analyze a literary text, you will deal with basic elements of literature, like plot, theme, character, point of view, and setting. Close study of these elements will then lead to an essay focusing on one aspect of the work.
Literary analysis is also known as literary criticism. In this context, "criticism" means a close reading and interpretation of a literary text, such as a poem, a short story, a play, a novel, or even a movie. The elements that make up a literary work are closely examined for their meaning and significance. Some of these elements are theme, character, and plot. Regardless of what aspect you choose to write about, your essay will focus on one controlling idea that can be stated in one direct sentence. For example: "Although most critics regard Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra as a great love tragedy, it is actually a mockery of a tragedy, for Cleopatra is incapable of love, and Antony is interested only in sex." This student then introduced evidence from the play to prove her thesis.
Following are some thoughts to keep in mind when you analyze literary texts:
The Nine Key Elements of Fiction:
1. CHARACTER
There are two meanings for the word character:
1) The person in a work of fiction.
2) The characteristics of a person.
Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist o One character is clearly central to a story with all major events having some connection to this character; o She/he is the PROTAGONIST. o The character in opposition to the main character is called the ANTAGONIST.
The Characteristics of a Person
In order for a story to seem real to the reader, its characters must seem