English Literature Course Outline

ENGLISH LITERATURE NEWS

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In English literature the content you will study about genres & forms, literary analysis, historical and social , literary periods and movement, literary theory, and textual variety.

English Literature requires extensive reading, critical analysis, and the ability to find original interpretations. The workload is heavy, involving absorbing complex texts and theories, annotating, and writing essays. English literature doesn’t just have one answer it has multiple and where throughoUt the course you will explore.

Abstract interpretation is used to explore metaphors and argue about different interpretations of a proposal. Users use their own experience to sympathize with the text to interpret it in a deeper meaning and connection. Literature often focuses on abstract concepts like justice, courage, jealousy, and many more; it's used to explore how these ideas affect the world.

In critical analysis you’ll have to dig deeper than just the surface; it includes spotting themes, literary devices, the creator's message, and many interpretations of a singular idea.

Extensive reading includes large volumes of complex literary work & academic text of literary theory; It is used to build fluency, comprehension, writing skills, vocabulary, and confidence. It helps students build vocabulary and revisit words they have learnt in class in a different context

Students who prefer subjects with a more definite answer rather than a subject where multiple and many ideas are explored may find this course challenging.

In genres and forms you study the 4 main genres of English literature which is poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and drama. In the English Literature subject article I have dove deeper into this topic and explained the uses of it. Poetry is used to It is used to invoke feeling and emotion into text also used to stir the creator's imagination with the rhythmic metaphors. Fiction is used to explore human experience by using their imagination. In Nonfiction, students will learn how to express and present some real information, they will study real & authentic information and write stories about it. For drama, it is to improve the skills of expressing by acting. It prioritizes performance on stage through dialogue, script form, and stage directions.

Literary analysis focuses on various elements like plot, theme, setting, and literary devices. It’s used to understand themes, analyze symbolism, and narrative structures. Literary analysis isn’t used to summarize text, but a deep dive of the elements of the text. It is evidence based which means if you propose an idea or argument you will have to support it with specific details, quotes, and examples from the text itself.

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Historical and social content is used to analyze the social norms, beliefs, economic conditions, political movements, and major historical events. These are analyzed to understand why and how it affects the world; historical and social content analysis is also used to recognize an author's environmental influences and how a character's characteristics fit into a specific time and place. When historical and social influence is recognized in text the meaning and significance could be a lot deeper than it’s seen.

Literary periods and movement are a way to divide literature into categories of similar philosophical, topical, or aesthetic features. Literary periods are A broad historical era with a dominant literary style and theme. Literary movement is a more specific group of writers with a shared artistic vision, often a reaction to preceding periods. For example, Realism and Naturalism emerged during the Victorian period and became distinct movements within it. The four major literary movements are Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism, and Modernism. Understanding Literary periods and movement help understand a character responding to a specific timeline

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Literary theory is a description of the underlying principles, one might say the tools, by which we attempt to understand literature. The four types of literary theory are mimetic, pragmatic, expressive and objective theories.

Mimetic theory by French philosopher René Girard is a theory of human desire that is essentially social and imitative which leads to conflict, rivalry, and scapegoating to restore social order.
Pragmatic theory by John Dewey proposes the study of language in use. The idea is how language users interact, communicate and interpret linguistic behaviour.
Expressive theory is a concept of viewing art as a reflection of the creator's life, and finding a connection between the creator and their work.
Objective theory is the opposite of expressive theory, it separates the creator and the work. Objective theory focuses on the literary work itself.

Textual variety is the diversity of language, writing styles, dialects, and many more.

Photo credits: Ms. Berda

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