Lecture on Literary Forms (Genres) and Their Importance

Introduction

• Presenters: Andrew and Dave, the IB English Guys
• Topic: Importance of considering literary forms (genres) in literary analysis
• Purpose: Many students overlook literary form in their analysis, particularly in paper twos, higher-level essays, and individual orals.

Importance of Literary Forms

1. Understanding
   • Helps in comprehending how authors use literary forms to shape meaning and convey ideas.
   • Related to Criterion A for assessments.
2. Authorial Choices
   • Knowing the form assists in understanding authorial choices.
   • Examples:
     - Drama: Stage directions, sound, visuals
     - Novel: Narrative perspective, structure
3. Comparative Analysis
   • Useful for comparing and contrasting literary works.
   • Offers rich comparative points when different or same forms are compared.

Attributes of Different Literary Forms

Novels

• Written in Prose: Intended for reading, often complex with a rich experience over multiple sittings.
• Narrative Perspective: Reliability, changes, point of view.
• Character Development: Evolution, relationships.
• Structure: Linear vs. non-linear, passage of time, beginning/middle/end.
• Language: Figurative, descriptive, dialogue.

Drama

• Meant for Stage: Visual and auditory experience, engage with seeing the play.
• Theatrical Elements: Lighting, sound, costumes, stage directions.
• Dialogue: Primary means to learn about characters.
• Structure: Number of acts, story mountain (exposition, climax, etc.).
• Characters: Development, relational dynamics.

Poetry

• Speaker and Point of View: Understanding the speaker’s perspective.
• Imagery and Figurative Language: Similes, metaphors, types of imagery.
• Metrical and Rhythmic Patterns: Free verse, meter.
• Structure and Form: Stanzas, enjambment, sound devices.
• Emotion and Tone: Emotional shifts, multiple poems for paper two analysis.

Graphic Novels

• Interplay of Art and Text: Visual storytelling.
• Sequential Art: Panel sequence, shading, color.
• Point of View: Perspective, camera-like framing.
• Character Design: Body language, facial expressions.

Short Stories

• Concise Form: Storytelling within a tight structure.
• Story Mountain: Exposition, climax, resolution.
• Character and Setting: Development, relationships, and descriptive language for setting.
• Narrative Point of View: Impact on meaning.
• Imagery and Language: Symbols, figurative language.

Novels

Narrative Perspective:

This refers to the point of view from which the story is told. Key types include:

• First-person:The narrator is a character within the story (“I” narration). This limits perspective to what that character knows and experiences. Reliability is a key consideration — is this narrator trustworthy? Are they biased?
• Third-person limited:The narrator focuses on the thoughts and feelings of a single character.
• Third-person omniscient:The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters. This provides a broader, sometimes god-like, perspective.
• Second-person:This is less common in novels but uses “you” to address the reader directly, placing the reader within the story.

Character Development:

How characters change and grow throughout the novel. This can be:

• Static:Characters who remain essentially unchanged.
• Dynamic:Characters who undergo significant transformations.
• Foil:Characters who contrast with each other to highlight certain traits.

Structure:

This refers to the organization of the narrative. Key aspects include:

• Linear: The story unfolds chronologically.
• Nonlinear: The story jumps around in time (flashbacks, flash-forwards). *In media res* is a type of nonlinear narrative that begins in the middle of the action.
• Beginning, Middle, End
• Plot Structure: The classic Freytag’s pyramid (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution/denouement) is a common model, but not all novels follow it strictly.

Language:

Novels utilize various literary devices:

Figurative Language:

Metaphors, similes, personification, etc., that add depth and meaning.

Imagery:

Vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses.

Diction: Word choice, which contributes to tone and style.

Drama

Theatrical Elements:

These are the non-verbal aspects of a play:

• Stage Directions: Instructions for actors, set designers, and lighting technicians.
• Lighting: Used to create mood and atmosphere.
• Sound: Music, sound effects, and the actors’ voices.
• Costumes: Clothing and accessories that convey character and setting.
• Props: Objects used by actors on stage.
• Blocking: The planned movements of actors on stage.
• Dialogue: Conversations between characters; this is crucial for revealing character, advancing the plot, and conveying themes. Consider subtext—what is *not* being said but implied.
• Structure: Plays often follow a three-act or five-act structure, each act having a distinct function in building tension and resolving conflict. The story mountain (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) applies here too.
• Characters: Dramatic characters are often defined by their actions, dialogue, and relationships with other characters. Archetypes (stock characters) are common in drama.

Poetry

Speaker: The voice that speaks in a poem. This isn’t necessarily the poet themselves; it can be a persona or a created character.

Imagery and Figurative Language: Poetry relies heavily on these. Explore the specific types of figurative language used:

• Metaphor: Direct comparison (e.g., “The world is a stage”).
• Simile: Comparison using “like” or “as” (e.g., “He fought like a lion”).
• Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things.
• Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis.
• Symbolism: Use of objects or images to represent abstract ideas.

Metrical and Rhythmic Patterns: The patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. Key terms include:

• Meter: The regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
• Rhythm: The overall flow and musicality of the poem.
• Free Verse: Poetry without a regular meter or rhyme scheme.

Structure and Form: How the poem is visually organized:

• Stanzas: Groups of lines.
• Enjambment: When a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation.
• Sonnet: A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.
• Haiku: A three-line poem with a specific syllable structure.
• Sound Devices: The use of sounds to create effects:
• Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
• Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds.
• Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds within words.
• Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds.
• Tone and Mood: The overall feeling or attitude conveyed by the poem.
• Plosives – Sounds produced by the sudden release of air, such as p, b, t, d, k, g, often creating a sharp or forceful effect in speech or writing.
• Euphony – The use of pleasant, harmonious sounds in language, often featuring soft consonants (l, m, n) and vowels to create a smooth, flowing effect.
• Cacophony – The use of harsh, discordant sounds, often involving a mix of guttural, plosive, and fricative consonants, to create a jarring or unsettling effect.

Graphic Novels

Sequential Art: The way panels are arranged to create a narrative flow. Consider:

• Panel Size and Shape: Large panels emphasize importance; small panels might indicate brief moments.
• Gutter: The space between panels, where the reader fills in the gaps.
• Perspective: POV. How the scene is shown (close-up, long shot, etc.).
• Speech Balloons and Captions: How dialogue and narration are presented.

Visual Elements:

• Color: Used to create mood, emotion, and contrast.
• Shading and Line Work: Adds depth, texture, and emotion to the images.
• Graphic Weight: The visual emphasis given to certain elements (e.g., darker, larger panels).
• Symbolism: Images and visual metaphors used to convey meaning.

Character Design: The visual representation of characters—their physical appearance, body language, and expressions.

Short Stories

Short stories share many of the same literary elements as novels, but because of their brevity, they often feature a more focused plot, fewer characters, and a concentrated use of language and imagery. The themes are usually sharply defined and explored with precision. The story mountain (plot structure) is highly relevant here. This more detailed breakdown should help you in your analysis. Remember to identify *specific* examples of these literary elements in the texts you are studying. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Conclusion

• Reminder: Consider both the minutiae and macro elements (literary form and genre) in analysis.
• Understanding and Discussion: Stepping back to view literary form provides a better grasp of the text.
• Upcoming Content: More discussions on authorial choices.

• Note: Literary form is a crucial entry point for understanding texts and should be included in the analysis.