Chapter Five: In-depth Understanding of Elements of Literature - Literature in English Form Five

Chapter Five: In-depth Understanding of Elements of Literature – Literature in English Form Five

In-depth Understanding of Elements of Literature, Analysis of the Relationship Between Folklore and Written Literature, The Origin and Development of African Literature in English, The Origin and Development of Literature, The Concepts of Literature, Literature in English - Darasa Huru, Explanations and Definitions of Common Literary Terms, NECTA QUESTIONS NECTA QUESTIONS: Are you looking for Form Four NECTA Past Papers? RESPONDING TO LITERATURE QUESTIONS It is very important to understand the skills for answering literature questions because, more often than not, students fail to respond to literature questions not because they don’t have the right answers for those questions but chiefly because they fail to interpret the questions appropriately and respond accordingly. Therefore, to successfully respond to literature questions, the following things should be taken into consideration at least as the first step to start with: a)Read the question carefully. It is advised to read the question more than once as it helps you to understand it. Re-reading the question twice or thrice may help you to gain some additional insights on the requirements of the question b)Paraphrase the question. At this point try to re-state the question in your own words. This helps you among other things to see if you have understood what you are asked to do. E.g. “With reference to two plays that you have read in class compare two female characters one from each play and show how they differ”. PARAPHRASE: The question requires me to pick two female characters and show their similarities and differences c)Pay attention to key words in the question. Questions have key words that tell you what you are required to do. When you are reading the question note whether it requires you to;- discuss, list, mention, compare and contrast, verify, describe, comment, criticize, interpret, justify.etc.Buy bestselling books online d)Write an outline of your answer. At this juncture try to frame how your essay will look like and what you are going to put in the introduction, the main body and conclusion. i.e. in the introduction you may show (i). The key words to be defined, (ii) the books you are going to use. In the main body you may jot down the points you are going to use from each reading. In the conclusion you may show how you are going to conclude. THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR ESSAY INTRODUCTION. Remember that introduction is the key to your essay. It gives an impression on whether the reader should continue reading your essay or not. Here you are supposed to do the following. 1. Define key terms. For example in our question above; you may need to define: Character(s) this helps your reader to understand your working definition. E.g. Characters are animate or inanimate beings that play different roles in a literary work.Buy bestselling books online 2. Sometimes there are no key words to be defined. In such a case give some background information on the subject in question. E.g. “Women occupy different roles in literary works. By using two readings you have studied in class show the roles of women in your society”. Here you may need to agree with the statement and show that women do really occupy different roles in different societies. 3. List the readings you are going to use. Of course you will have outlined them somewhere, but this is the right place to include them in your essay. A good choice of readings is also very important as it shows whether you are going to respond to the question correctly or wrongly. E.g. To prove the above statement my discussion will be centred on Juliette of Three Suitors One Husband by O. Mbia and Wanjiro of This Time Tomorrow by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. or In this essay references will be made to Juliette of Three Suitors One Husband by O Mbia and Wanjiro of This Time Tomorrow by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. 4. Show the readings you are going to start with. In case of the questions that need each reading to be treated separately. E.gBuy bestselling books online In this essay references will be made to Juliette of Three Suitors One Husband by O Mbia and Wanjiro of This Time Tomorrow by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. To start with Three suitors one husband; MAIN BODY. Here you need to be careful because it is this part that answers your question. Organization. You should organize your essay in paragraphs whereby each paragraph carries one point. That is to say the number of points is determined by the number of paragraphs and vice versa. Each paragraph must contain a topic sentence. A topic sentence is the one containing the argument you are making. E.g. in our question you could begin each sentence by saying “Both Juliette and Wanjiro are…” Provide supporting details. These are evidences from a literary work plus supporting examples. Example if you say… “Both Juliette and Wanjiro are denied to marry men of their choices. Juliette is denied by her family to marry Oko since he is still a schoolboy and has no money compared to the other suitors like Mbia. Similarly, Wanjiro is denied by her mother to marry Asinjo on the ground that he is a man from another tribe, he is poor and has no job.” Citation Your citation will largely depend on the nature of the question you are attempting. Different questions call for different responses. Questions on themes for instance have issues cutting across two or more readings. If that is the case it is possible to refer to two readings in one paragraph. However this approach is used when the point is the same. For example, “Literature is the product of the society. It is used by artists to reflect social realities within their societies. Use two novels you have read to verify the above statement”. In such a case you may discuss a theme like HIV/AIDS which appears in both “Passed Like a Shadow” and “The Interview”. Your citation will be; One of the social realities portrayed is the plight of HIV/AIDS pandemic. In “Passed like a Shadow” people like Adyeri, Amoti, Vicky, David and others die of AIDS due to ignorance of the ways it spreads and beliefs in superstition. Similarly, in “The Interview” people like Georgina and the pastor die of AIDS or kill themselves due to Ignorance without even taking blood test to confirm whether they are infected. If the readings contain different points it is advisable that you deal with one reading at a time and then move to another.Buy bestselling books online If the question requires you to compare and contrast two aspects in two readings you make references to both readings at the same time using words like; whereas, while, on the other hand, by contrast, or comparing by using words like also, similarly, likewise. NOTE: Answering a question is not the same as narrating a story. You should avoid narrating what is taking place in the story but rather analyze and make arguments. CONCLUSION. This is the final part of your essay. You are expected to write your position. Don’t conclude by saying; What I have said/written above are/is…………… The above points are………. It is advised that you conclude your essay with expressions like; Ø In conclusion….., Ø To conclude……., Ø In summary….., Ø By the way of conclusion……., Ø To sum up ……, Ø Generally it can be said that…., Ø To capitulate…….. etc E.g. “Generally it can be concluded that, different characters from different readings may be alike or different depending on the experiences they face in the societies they live. If the experiences are the same the characters are likely to behave the same way and vice versa.” NECTA 2010 1. How can literature help us in fighting against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania? 2. An artist can best use his pen and not rifle to teach and warn the society. Validate this statement using your life experience. 3. Write brief notes on the following literary concepts. (a) Written literature. (b) Setting. (c) Proverbs. (d) Narrator. NECTA 2011 1.(a). Briefly comment on what the following literary concepts are. (I) Short stories. (II) Figurative language. (iii) Characterization. (iv) Setting. (b) What is oral literature? State any five characteristics of oral literature. 2.Using your own life experience, show how literature and language can not be separated. 3.Writting literature in local languages is the only way to make sure that it reaches every individual in the society. Use eight (8) points to argue for or against this statement. NECTA 2012 1. Compare and contrast between the following pairs of literary terminologies (a) Ballad and Epic. (b) Irony and Satire. (c) Conflict and denouement. (d) Round character and flat character. (e) Form and content. 2. What do you understand by the term ‘technique ‘ in a work of art? Explain briefly on seven techniques which can be used in a literary piece of work. 3. Does oral literature still exist in the Tanzanian society today? Discuss basing your arguments on the nature and transmission of oral literature. NECTA 2013 1.How does the language of literature differ from ordinary writing and speech? 2.(a). Define the following terms as used in works of literature. (i) Rehearsal. (ii) Imagery. (iii) Tone. (iv) Point of view. (v) Plot. (vi) Symbolism. (vii) Fable. (Viii) Persona. (ix) Character. (x) Stanza. (b)Give five reasons as to why literature should be taught as a subject to all secondary school students. 3.(a) What are the differences in each of the following terms? (i) Litotes and understatement. (ii) Straight forward narration and flashback. (iii) Metaphorical and literal language. (iv) Onomatopoeia and metonymy. (v) Metaphor and simile. (b) With examples, give a brief explanation of the genres of literature. NECTA 2014 1.’The subject of literature differs from other subjects taught in school’. What are the differences between literature and other subjects in the secondary school curriculum? 2.Briefly compare and contrast the following pairs of literary terms: (a) Symbolism and imagery. (b) Fable and folktale. (c) Antagonist and protagonist. (d) Play and Drama. (e) Alliteration and Assonance. 3.Support the view that ‘the society makes Literature and Literature holds the society ‘. NECTA 2015 1.(a) Define the following literary terms: (i) Satire. (ii) Allusion. (iii) Alliteration. (iv) Conflict. (v) Simile. (b) Show how literature is a reflection of life by giving five points. 2.(a) Briefly explain how the difference between a novel and a poem lies in their form giving three points for each. (b) Why is it important to put plays in action? (c) With examples briefly explain the following literary devices: (i) Hyperbole. (ii) Irony. (iii) Litotes. (iv) Metaphor. (v) Contrast. 3.(a) Briefly explain the following: (i) Oral literature. (ii) Written literature. (b) Mention the three basic genres of literature. (c) It is argued that, the definition of the term literature is not complete unless it involves three elements namely art, language and society. Briefly support this view showing how these elements are part of literature. NECTA 2016 1.Analyse eight elements which makes drama look different from other works of literature. 2.Giving eight points, explain the importance of studying literature. 3.Analyse four key elements of Form and four of Content in a piece of literary writing. NECTA QUESTIONS on Literature in English (Form 3 & 4) NECTA QUESTIONS on English in Literature ORAL LITERATURE THEORIES OF LITERATURE STUDY QUESTIONS ON ENGLISH IN LITERATURE SELECTED POEMS FROM TANZANIA INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (ANALYSIS) INTERPRETING LITERARY WORKS WRITTEN LITERATURE AFRICAN LITERATURE ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE NECTA 2017 1.Write brief explanations on each of the following literary terms. (a) Fiction. (b) Film. (c) Stage direction. (d) Episode. (e) Figures of speech. (f) Setting. (g) Tragic comedy. (h) Verse. (I) Scene. (j) Play within play. 2.(a) What are the four major difficulties that students face when appreciating a poem? (b) Distinguish between the following literary terms: (i) Poem and poet. (ii) Verse and stanza. (iii) Rhyme and Rhythm. (iv) Narrative poem and Deductive poem. (v) Theme and Message. 3.Account for features of play /drama which make it different from other genres of literature. NECTA 2018 1. Write brief explanations on the following literary concepts: (I) Conflict. (ii) Myth. (iii) Stage direction. (iv) Dramatic monologue. (v) Modern poetry. (vi) Diction. (vii) Climax. (viii) Euphemism. (ix) Character. (x) Symbol. 2. Using your own life experience, show how literature and language cannot be separated. 3.(a) What is drama? (b) Outline six features of drama. (c) Differentiate the following dramatic terms: (i) Act and scene. (ii) Comedy and tragedy, LITERATURE IN ENGLISH FULL NOTES, LITERATURE IN ENGLISH BOOKS ANALYSIS (INTERPRETING LITERARY WORKS), WRITTEN LITERATURE, ORAL LITERATURE, ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE - CONTENTS, ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE, LITERARY DEVICES, LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE, FORMS OF LITERATURE, CONTEXT IN WHICH LITERATURE IS APPLIED, FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE, LITERATURE AS AN ART, Introduction to Literature

TIE LIBRARY DOWNLOAD TIE BOOKS (PRIMARY – SECONDARY)

EXAMS (MITIHANI) PRIMARY – SECONDARY SCHOOL

NECTA PAST PAPERS ACSEE, CSEE, FTNA, PSLE & SFNA

NECTA TIMETABLES FOR 2026 ACSEE, CSEE, FTNA, PSLE AND SFNA

Download & Install
Darasa Huru App

DOWNLOAD
   

Chapter Five: In-depth Understanding of Elements of Literature – Literature in English Form Five

Literary elements are the most fundamental parts of a story. They are also referred to as building blocks of any story. These elements help readers keep up with the story and know what is going on. In this chapter, you will learn about elements of form and content. Moreover, you will learn the significance of each element in a literary text and show the relationship between form and content. The competencies developed will enable you to read, interpret, analyse, and compose literary texts.

The existence of literary works in the absence of elements of literature.

Elements of Literature

Activity 1

a) Present the elements of literature diagrammatically by filling in the given spaces.

Elements of Literature

Form
Content

Fill in the specific elements under each category

b) Write short notes on each of the elements you have filled in the diagram.

Elements of Form

Setting

Activity 2

Read a literary text and answer the following questions:

  1. When was the text written? How did you know?
  2. At what times of the day do most of the story events unfold? How did the text let you know?
  3. What is the physical location of things presented in the text? How are they made to manifest?
  4. Where do the characters’ interactions take place?
  5. How do the geographical locations influence your understanding of events and actions in the story?
  6. Comment on the story’s setting by showing how it affects the understanding of the story.

Plot

Activity 3

Read a literary text and respond to the following questions as you analyse its plot.

(i) Exposition

  1. When does the story begin?
  2. Where does the story begin?
  3. What is the name of the protagonist?
  4. What are the physical characteristics of the protagonist? What aspects of the text revealed them?
  5. Which other characters are portrayed as the story opens?
  6. What challenges do the protagonist or other characters face as the story opens? Explain with textual evidence.

(ii) Rising Action

  1. What events are in this part of the story?
  2. What is the main challenge in the story?
  3. How does the challenge develop in the story?
  4. Does the antagonist directly or indirectly challenge the protagonist? Explain.
  5. How does the main character become more involved in the challenge? Explain with textual evidence.
  6. How does the tension between the protagonist and the antagonist build up in the story?
  7. Propose any relevant solutions to the conflicts in the story.

(iii) Climax

  1. How do the events set the moment of truth in the story?
  2. What is the nature of the challenge in the story? How is it creatively depicted?
  3. How does the protagonist’s weakness contribute to the challenge? How does it affect the course of events in the story?
  4. How does the protagonist become fully prepared for the challenge or problem?
  5. How does the protagonist’s decision predict the end of the story?

(iv) Falling Action

  1. Which events come after the climax?
  2. Which conflict(s) or challenge(s) is/are the characters trying to settle?
  3. What is the weakness of the antagonist?
  4. Why does the protagonist win or lose?
  5. How does the protagonist’s victory affect his/her family, friends, and society?

(v) Resolution/Denouement

  1. What is the solution to the conflict/challenge/problem?
  2. What lesson(s) do the protagonist and other characters learn?
  3. What do readers learn from the story? How is it told?
  4. What legacy does the protagonist leave behind? How is it depicted?
  5. Are there issues left unresolved in the story? Explain your answer.
  6. Is there any potential for a new challenge? Explain your answer.
  7. Propose how the unresolved or potentially new challenge/problem can be solved.

Exercise 14

  1. Assess how the central conflict drives the plot forward in any text you have read.
  2. Discuss how moments of tension, suspense, or reflection affect the reader’s experience in any text of your choice.
  3. How does the resolution of the plot impact your interpretation of the text?

Character and Characterization

Activity 4

Read a literary text and describe the following characters:

  1. Those who perform important events that dominate the story from the beginning to the end and the ones who carry the theme and message of the story
  2. The one who strongly opposes the protagonist and is admired by the audience
  3. Those who do not change their personalities in the course of plot development
  4. Those who change in the course of the story
  5. Those whom you admire most. Explain the reasons for your admiration.

Exercise 15

  1. With examples from a literary text of your choice, discuss the different types of characters.
  2. Use one literary text to discuss the source of conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist.
  3. Why do you think characters are important in a literary text?
  4. Compose a short story that involves dynamic and static characters.

Takeaways: Elements of Form

(i) Setting

Setting in literature refers to the time and place of the story. Time comprises many aspects, such as the character’s time of life, time of the day, time of the year, and period of time (past, present and future). Meanwhile, place entails a physical environment such as a building, a room in a building, a country, or perceptual places created through sensory details and descriptions that capture a vivid sense of location in the story’s world.

Generally, a setting can also include the social, cultural, and historical context in which the story unfolds. It creates the story’s mood for the readers or viewers and gives context to the character’s actions, making it easier to understand why the characters behave the way they do.

(ii) Plot

Plot refers to the organised structure of a literary text formed through interrelated actions which are selected and organised by a writer. Actions are interrelated because every action is related to and affects or influences other actions in the story. Thus, a plot refers to a story’s logical flow of events. Most plots have three parts: beginning, middle and end. However, a more detailed plot comprises five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and denouement. Each of the five elements contributes to the development of a story. A plot can be said to be good if it presents a sequence of events, shows a cause-effect relationship among the events, and connects actions and events logically.

Types of Plot Structure

There are several types of plots, including Freytag’s triangular, linear, episodic, parallel and flashback plots. Freytag’s triangular plot is the most popular type.

Triangular/Dramatic/Linear/Progressive Plot

This type of plot is named after a German playwright, Gustav Freytag, who outlined the five key elements of dramatic structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Climax
Rising Action
Exposition
Falling Action
Resolution

(iii) Character and Characterization

A character is a person, animal or any figure imagined and created by an author in a literary text to deliver the intended message to the audience. A character’s action and situations drive the plot of a story. Thus, through characters, fiction comes alive.

Types of Characters

ProtagonistThe main character in a story often considered as “the good guy”. He/she drives the plot of the story to a great extent.

AntagonistA character or force that opposes the protagonist. It can be a single person, a group of people, nature or internal conflict.

Dynamic CharacterA character who undergoes some changes in the course of the story. He or she learns a lesson or overcomes challenges.

Static CharacterA character who does not change his/her personality throughout the story. He/she does not grow and remains static mentally and physically.

Round CharacterA fully developed figure in a story. This character is more realistic and grows to show his/her real complex personality.

Flat CharacterA one-dimensional character who is less affected by the environment and undergoes less significant changes in personality.

Elements of Content

Theme

Activity 9

Read a literary text and answer the following questions:

  1. What are the key issues in the text? How creatively are they presented?
  2. Which ideas, thoughts, or patterns are repeated in the story? How creatively are they presented?
  3. How do the repeated ideas, thoughts or patterns build up the themes?
  4. What is the central/main theme of the text you have read? Provide textual evidence.
  5. What are other themes in the story? Give textual evidence.

Conflict

Activity 5.10

Read a literary text and answer the following questions:

  1. What does the protagonist strive to achieve in the story?
  2. What obstacle does the protagonist come across?
  3. How does the protagonist react to these obstacles?
  4. How are forms of conflict represented in the story?
  5. Which characters are involved in these conflicts?
  6. How is the resolution of the central conflict presented?
  7. What are the resolutions of the minor conflicts?

Types of Conflict

Intra-personal/Self ConflictOccurs within a character’s mind as he/she has to make choices in relation to problematic situations.

Inter-personal ConflictOccurs when characters or groups of characters clash with each other.

Social ConflictOccurs when a character or group gets into conflict with their community; society turns against them.

Environmental ConflictHappens when characters come into conflict with natural forces like floods or getting lost in forests.

Society ConflictOccurs when individuals fight against societal norms, which are usually oppressive in nature.

Supernatural ConflictOccurs when characters fight against superhuman forces, deities or predetermined fate.

Takeaways: Elements of Content

(i) Theme

This is the underlying meaning of a literary work. The theme of a literary text is its view of life and how people behave. It is the primary concern of the author to write a story. The theme synthesises all issues the story presents (generalisation about life). Theme can be indirectly or directly suggested through characters’ speech and actions, setting, and other symbolic representations that make up the story.

Discovering themes requires considering:

  • The title of the literary text
  • Repeated patterns, thoughts, symbols and motifs
  • Allusions made throughout the story
  • Actions or events in the story and their arrangement
  • Lesson the main character learns
  • Characters and their characterization
  • Types of conflicts portrayed
  • Issues that the author supports or opposes

(ii) Conflict

Conflict is the heart of a story. The term refers to a clash/struggle between two opposing forces which drive the story forward. Conflict creates tension and interest, making readers want to know what happens next.

Download & Install
Darasa Huru App

DOWNLOAD

(iii) Message

Message is a two-way communication or statement conveyed from one person or group to another. A text’s message is the product of the information and the complete communication system of all human beings. In literature, a message is a big idea or a theme of a story that a writer communicates to the audience.

(iv) Lesson

Literature is known for its various functions in society. A literary text not only provides pleasure but also teaches, encourages, informs and motivates audiences. Therefore, literary texts should be read and analysed for spiritual, moral, cultural, economic, political and social education.

(v) Philosophy

Philosophy is the author’s views on existential problems and life’s major concerns. It results from his/her reflection on the experiences and problems of everyday living. Philosophy is manifested through analysing and according meaning to the text’s setting, plot, characters, style, language and themes.

The Significance of Elements of Literature

Activity 14

Read a literary text and analyse the following:

  1. The significance of the story’s setting
  2. The effectiveness of the point of view deployed in the story
  3. The significance of language deployed in the text
  4. The contribution of the plot to the understanding of the story

Takeaways: Significance of Literary Elements

The elements of literature respond to the story’s who, what, where, when, why and how questions. Each of these elements greatly impacts the completeness of the story. Their absence may result in the malformation of the story.

LanguageA means through which a writer communicates with the audience. A text earns its literaliness through language, which creates mood and mental picture for readers.

CharactersThe entities that participate in events and perform actions in a story. They help in sequencing events and create psychological connections with readers.

Point of ViewDetermines the position from which the story is narrated and establishes the relationship between audience and narration.

PlotPresents the story and reveals the protagonist’s development and the story’s theme. It binds readers with emotional connection.

SettingDrives the plot forward, shapes characters and provides opportunities for conflicts to happen. It adds important dimension of meaning.

ConflictDrives a story forward and reveals deeper meaning while highlighting characters’ motivations, values, strengths and flaws.

The Interplay Between Form and Content

Activity 15

a) Read a literary text and discuss the elements of the narrative based on the following questions:

  1. What is the title of the story?
  2. How does the title relate to or differ from the content of the story?
  3. What lesson do you get from the actions of central characters in the story?
  4. How does the setting help you to predict the theme of the story?
  5. How do the figures of speech contribute to the meaning or message?

b) Discuss the relationship between form and content of the story.

Takeaways: Form and Content Relationship

Formalists or neo-critics claim that form rules the content. The existence and delivery of the content relies on a well-crafted form. Thus, to get a text’s theme, one should examine devices such as metre, rhyme scheme, rhythm, figures of speech, syntax, tone, motifs, voice, setting, character, styles, structure, coherence, emphasis, diction, images, sounds, phrases, punctuation, words and other conventions.

Conversely, non-formalists view the relationship between form and content as cause and effect, similar to the events in a literary text. In this relationship, the content is the cause, and form is the effect; the content is the reason the writer writes, and the form is the way the writer presents the idea.

Form creates the shape of a literary text, influencing the reader’s perception of the content. For example, using imagery adds depth and meaning to the literary text. Other literary forms, such as scenes and acts in a play, help to create dramatic tension on the reader’s part. The setting and contexts provide the background for understanding a story’s events and actions and influence the overall atmosphere of a literary text.

Key Insight: Form without content is nothing, and content without form is unsighted. (Emmanuel Kant)

Assessment Questions

  1. Do you think it is important for you to perceive the message as it was intended by the author? Give reasons.
  2. Using one literary text, relate how characters in stories reflect or challenge societal norms or expectations in real-life situations.
  3. Pick any literary text and write an essay about how that text challenges or reinforces the existing beliefs or attitudes in society.
  4. With reference to one text, explain the way authors’ philosophy shape the way they perceive things in life.
  5. How will you help your friend identify the author’s philosophy in a selected text?
  6. “There is a story without a plot, but there is no story without characters.” Discuss this statement with reference to one reading.
  7. Discuss the relevance of one literary text you have read to your real-life experience.
  8. With reference to one literary text, how do characters in a story develop to enhance themes?
  9. With reference to one literary text, explain how conflicts in a story develop to enhance themes.
  10. Compare and contrast literary language with ordinary language.

Related Posts:

  1. Chapter One: The Concepts of Literature – Literature in English Form Five
  2. Chapter Two: The Origin and Development of Literature – Literature in English Form Five
  3. Chapter Three: The Origin and Development of African Literature in English – Literature in English Form Five
  4. Chapter Four: Analysis of the Relationship Between Folklore and Written Literature – Literature in English Form Five

Download & Install
Darasa Huru App

DOWNLOAD

Download & Install
Darasa Huru App

DOWNLOAD

You cannot copy content of this page. Contact Admin