Chapter 18
Writing About Literature
Lecture by
Vivian Johnson
Questions you might be asked…
1.
2.
3.
4.
Show how an author handled one
element of a short story, play, or poem.
Compare how two different works treat a
particular element.
Weigh several elements and then
determine the writer’s intention.*
Air your reactions to some work.*
What are the benefits to writing
about literature?
Do you know any of the 7 Elements
of literature?
7 Elements of Literature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Plot
Point of view
Character
Setting
Symbols
Irony
Theme
PLOT
Definition of Plot

Definition: Plot is the series of events that
moves a narrative along.

This is where the writer hints at later
developments, creating interest and
building suspense.
Plot Factors

A conventional plot introduces important
characters and sets the stage for what happens.

Then, one or more conflicts develop, by putting
person against person, or setting characters
against society, nature, fate, or themselves.

Action gradually builds to a climax, where events
take a decisive turn.
Plot conclusion

The ending can do a
number of things.

For example….. clear
up unanswered
questions, state a
theme, reestablish
some sort of
relationship, or hint at
the future.
Writing about Plot
Key questions to remember before you begin to write.

What are the key events
in the story?

Is the plot believable and
effective?

Do they unfold in some
fashion?

Is it similar to the plot of
another story or some
type of story?

Does the writer use
foreshadowing or
flashback?

What examples from the
story would support my
contentions?
POINT OF VIEW
Definition of Point of View

Definition: The vantage point from which
the writer of a literary work views its
events.

A writer may adapt either a first- person
or a third- person point of view.
Point of View Factors

First- person narration is when someone
tells what happens and is identified by
words like: I, me, mine, and my.

Third- person narrator stays completely
out of the story and is never mentioned in
any way.
Writing about Point of View
Key questions to remember before you begin to write.

What point of view is
used and why?

If the story used firstperson narration, is
the narrator reliable?

Is the point of view
used suitable for this
situation?

What focus would
produce an effective
paper?
CHARACTER
Character Factors
Characters in literary work function in various
ways, such as……






Centers of physical and mental action,
Provide humor,
Act as narrators,
Provide needed information,
Act as foils who highlight more important
characters,
Serve as symbols, or simply populate the
landscape (extras).
Writing about Character
Key questions to remember before you begin to write.

What characters offer the
potential for a paper?

Are the characters
believable?

What are their most
important features?

What focus would
produce an effective
paper?

Do the characters
undergo any changes?

What textual evidence
could support the
discussion?
SETTING
Setting Factors

Setting locates characters in a time, place,
and culture so they can think, feel, and
act against this background.

Writers can generate feelings and moods
by describing settings.
Settings
Sunny spring landscapes signal hope or
happiness.
 Dark alleys are foreboding.
 Thunderstorms suggest violent possibilities.

Writing about Setting
Key questions to remember before you begin to write.
What are its key
features?

How does it do these
things?
What does it
accomplish?...
1. Create mood?
2. Reveal character?
3. Serve as a symbol?
4. Reinforce the story’s
point?

Does the setting seem
realistic?

What focus would
produce an effective
paper?

What textual evidence
would support it?


SYMBOLS
Symbol Factors

Used to strengthen and deepen their
messages.

Writer’s use symbols such as: names,
persons, objects, places, colors, or
actions.

Example of a symbol used…(”Mr. Grimm”)
IRONY
Irony Factors
Irony features some discrepancy, some
difference between appearance and
reality, expectation and outcome.
 Sometimes a character says one thing but
means something else.
 Irony also results when the reader or a
character recognizes something as
important, but another character does not.

THEME
Theme Factors

The theme of literary work is its controlling idea,
some observation or insight about life or the
conditions and terms of living, such as the
prevalence of evil, the foolishness of pride, or
the healing power of love.

Theme is central to a work of literature, usually
all of the other elements help develop and
support it.
Ethical Issues
Key questions to remember before you begin to write.

Have I read the entire work carefully?

Is my interpretation supported by the
preponderance of textual evidence?

Have I avoided using quotations that are
atypical or taken out of context?

Is my interpretation fair to the text and the
author rather than distorting events to promote
an agenda?
Writing a Paper on Literature
5 Steps in this process
1.
The writing procedure.
2.
Handling Quotations.
3.
Documentation.
4.
Tense.
5.
Include the views of others.
(Focusing, gathering information, organizing, writing,
revising, and editing– the same procedure leads to success in a literature paper as in any
other type.)
(Just like aspirin, only use when necessary, but not to
excess. Cite brief, relevant passages to support key ideas. Fight the urge to quote huge
blocks of material.)
(Follow MLA guidelines when quoting from outside sources. )
(Always write your essay in the present rather than the past tense.)
(Gather info from secondary sources
and jot down any insights you find helpful. Avoid Plagiarism!)
Works cited page notes

For fiction, cite the page # of which the quotation
appeared: (92).

For Poetry, cite the word “line” or “lines” and the
appropriate numbers: (lines 23- 24)

For Plays, cite act, scene, and line numbers separated
by periods:
(1.3.18-19)
1 Represents the act #
3 Represents the scene #
18-19 Represents the line #
We’re almost done!
A Street Car Named Desire

I need 11 volunteers
to assist me in the
reading of this play.

Please keep in mind
the 7 Elements of
literature. Notice how
the writer uses each
of these elements
while you listen to
this wonderful play.
Thank you!
The end
Lectured by Vivian Johnson