#7 Exploring Ideas in Literature: Genres.

   Literature of all types can help people to see the world in new and exciting ways. For this reason, we have to take into consideration the diverse genres, or forms, of literature through which we explore new ideas:

  FICTION: refers to stories about made-up events and characters. All good fictions have a stirring plot, a vivid setting, and compelling characters. Fiction usually takes one of three forms:

• Short stories: focus on a single event or incident. For example: “The garden party” by Maeve Binchy.
• Novels: weave together many different events, storylines and characters. For examples: “A farewell to arms” by Ernest Hemingway.
• Novellas: are longer than a short story but shorter than a novel and there is a limited number of characters. For Example: “The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

* Key academic vocabulary in fiction: plot – conflict – characters – setting – theme – narrator

    POETRY: refers to a type of literature in which words are chosen and arranged in a precise way to achieve specific effects. Poems are made up of lines which are often arranged into groups called stanzas. The rhythm, the rhymes and the imagery chosen by the poet will affect the overall meaning and sound of the poem.

• Odes. For example: “An ode to happiness” by Naomi Burdett.
• Sonnets. For example: “On his blindness” by Milton.
• Narrative poems. For example: “The tunnel damnation” by James Bagley.
• Lyric poems. For example: “I felt a funeral in my brain” by Emily Dickinson.

* Key academic vocabulary in poetry: form – line – stanza – speaker – rhyme – rhythm – sound – devices – imagery.

    DRAMA: is any work that is written to be performed on stage. Drama is made up of a plot, characters, setting and theme. Characters and conflicts are developed through dialogue and action. A drama is usually divided into scenes grouped into acts.

• Comedies
•  Radio plays
• Historical dramas

* Key academic vocabulary in drama: plot – character – act – scene – stage directions – dialogues.

    NON-FICTION AND INFORMATION TEXTS: is writing that tells about real people, events and places.

• Autobiographies/ Biographies: are true stories of a person´s life.
• Essays: are short works that focuses on a single subject and can be reflective, persuasive, or descriptive.
• News articles: report on recent events.
• Speeches: are oral presentations of the ideas, beliefs or proposals.
• Feature articles: offer in depth coverage of human-interest topics.
• Functional documents: serve a practical purpose.

* Key academic vocabulary in non-fiction and information texts: purpose – text features – argument – persuasion.

    MEDIA: refers to forms of communication that influence your beliefs and actions. All the media messages have a specific purpose.

• TV shows: are usually created to entertain or inform.
• Advertising: is designed to persuade a target audience to buy a product, use a service or agree with an idea.
• Web sites: present information through text, graphics, audio video, animation, and interactive features.
• News media: are designed to entertain and inform viewers.
• Feature films: are created for entertainments and to make money.

* Key academic vocabulary in media: medium – message – purpose – target audience.

  

Strategies for reading literature:

• Ask the right questions to get the most from what you have read.
• Before reading, preview what you think the text will be about and have in clear the purpose for reading.
• During reading, pause occasionally to monitor understanding and make predictions.
• After reading, analyse the basic plot and explore key ideas.
• Make connections between the key ideas and your life.
• Record your thoughts, analysis and opinions as you read or share them with others.

Bibliography: Allen, J et.al. (2011). Literature. U.S.: McDougal Littell