Introduction to Literature

Introduction to Literature

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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
   

Introduction to Literature

a) Meaning of literature

There is no single definition of that suits the meaning of literature. As a result, there have been various attempts to define the term literature. Some of these attempts are;

>> Literature is a work of art that uses the language creatively to portray the message to the intended audience.

>> Literature is a work of art that uses the language creatively to express human realities to the society.

>> Literature is an imaginative work of art that uses language to reflect social

Therefore, the definition of literature should include some important terms as follows; “Literature is an imaginative work of art that uses language creatively and imaginatively to portray social realities (society)”.

b) Key terms/concepts used in literature

The definition of literature is incomplete unless it involves these concepts;

Art – refers to the way of doing It includes creativity, decoration, beauty, painting, coloring, threading, beautification, embroidery. It is creativity that comprises the use of attention of individuals. Art is divided into two (2) types which are;

  • Performing art: it is an art that uses movement of bodies and voices to convey a patristic expression. Performing art includes dance, music and acting.
  • Fine art: it’s an art that are created for aesthetic or intellectual It includes furniture making, painting, sculpturing, drawing, pottery etc.

Language – is the system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for interaction and communication, exchanging and sharing of ideas. Language is so an important tool in communication in delivering the intended message. No literature can exist without a

Creativity/imaginative – it’s a situation of applying skills, decoration, painting, designing an object and making it unique from others.

Society –it is the people, folk or inhabitants of a certain area or location, who make up the

Artist – is a person who deals with art, dancing, drawing, painting and performing. An artist can be an orator, performer, dramatist, novelist or a painter.

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