English poetry analysis:
Figures of speech:
The characterisation is the representation of people in narrative and dramatic
methods.
Plot: The main event that occurs in the comprehension.
Diction: What words were used in the comprehension
Simile: A simile is a direct comparison that always contains words as or like
Metaphor: A metaphor is a comparison without the use of as or like.
Personification: Personification gives human qualities to inanimate objects.
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning
of words. It often highlights the expression of movement.
Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds. Short vowel sounds
may create a mood of speed, vitality, joy or suspense.
Long vowel sounds slow down the pace and temper the mood.
Onomatopoeia: Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate and reproduce real-life
sounds and actions.
Irony: Irony implies the opposite of what is said. The intention is for the
opposite to be understood.
Hyphen (-):
● A hyphen links prefixes and suffixes to words or links two words to form
compound words. E.g. anti-dandruff shampoo; pre-school;
well-deserved
● It helps to differentiate meanings. E.g. She had to re-make the garment.
The remake of Gone with the Wind is most enjoyable.
● To facilitate the spelling and pronunciation, a hyphen is inserted if a
prefix ends in a vowel and the word joined to the prefix begins with the
same vowel. E.g. co-opt; re-examine; no-one.
● Words that cannot be completed on one line are linked to the next line
with a hyphen. E.g. de-lightful or delightful.
Dash (–) (The dashed line is slightly longer than the hyphen line.)
● A dash serves a similar purpose to a comma, colon or semi-colon. It
separates parts of a sentence and forces us to pause.
● To how to gives additional information, the dash can be used in the
same way as commas or brackets.
● It separates a comment or afterthought from the rest of the sentence.
● It creates a dramatic pause, leading to a climax or anti-climax.
1. Title
The title encapsulates, introduces and identifies a particular piece of
work.
- It becomes synonymous with the work.
2. Setting
This is the background against which the novel, short story or play is
set.
● The setting provides the framework of time and place. It establishes
the context of the work. This context reflects the attitudes and values in
which the work is set, written and received.
● The reader needs to identify the setting, which is achieved by direct
information as well as by language usage. This is often the key to
identify the theme, sub-themes and characters.
3. Characters
a. Characters are studied and analysed for their physical
appearances, personalities and actions.
Appearance: age, physical appearance, dress, social class,
mannerisms, mode of speech (accent, dialect, choice of words)
Personality: intelligence, sensitivity, attitude, introverted or extroverted
character, positive or negative qualities, strengths or weakness, sincerity or
falseness.
Action: The actions of the characters are interwoven with the plot,
sub-plots and themes.
b. You learn to know and understand the characters as a result of:
● What the writer says about them
● What other characters say and think about them
● What they say and think about themselves
● Their actions and reactions to certain situations and other
characters
c. The main characters are called Protagonists.
● You become aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
For example, in Shakespearean tragedies, characters often
have a basic weakness or flaw which leads to their
downfall e.g. Othello’s jealousy and Macbeth’s ambition.
● The protagonist often shares his innermost thoughts with
an audience by any means of a soliloquy - a speech in
which the character appears to be talking to himself e.g.
Hamlet’s famous soliloquy: ‘To be, or not to be, that is the
question: -’.
● In most literature, conflict occurs. This causes the
characters to develop and adapt to changing
circumstances. Conflict is the disagreement, the differences
or the confrontations between characters. Readers and
audiences are made aware of internal (emotional) or
external conflicts portrayed by the characters.
● Characters cannot be studied in isolation. They have to be
seen in context against the backdrop of their settings and
the other characters. Contrasting characters often act as
‘foils’, setting off other characters to advantage or
disadvantage.
4. Plot/Narrative
The plot is the sequenced storyline that the writer or playwright
develops.
● Narratives may be linear (chronological), flashbacks or
prophetic.
● The plot comprises various events or sub-plots, all of which are
intertwined and are usually resolved in the climax or conclusion
of the work.
● The unfolding of the plot is referred to as the denouement.
● The writer’s ability to create emotions such as excitement,
curiosity, suspense or romance will ensure a credible plot.
5. Themes and Sub-themes
Themes are the main ideas of literary works e.g. love, ambition or war.
● Themes convey the message or message of the writer and may
contain his beliefs and opinions.
● The main themes are often introduced in the opening sequence
of the work and this is known as the exposition.
● Themes are sometimes conveyed figuratively. They will then be
revealed and may only be understood with in-depth study.
● If the main or common theme was ‘the supernatural’, the
sub-themes might include water, blood or fire. These
sub-themes would then be symbolic.
● Symbolism is, therefore, the substitution of a concrete image for
an abstract idea.
6. Style
Style is the manner in which the work has been written, so as to achieve
the writer or speaker’s purpose.
● Writers develop individual styles.
● The style is created and developed by diction (word choice) and
language usage.
● The style may be literal or figurative, formal or informal
(colloquial), detailed or concise, simply or verbose.
● Styles differ depending on the use of the first or third person
(narrative point of view).
Styles is dependent on:
● The purpose of the work - a textbook would differ in style from a
novel
● The setting - the time and place in which the work occurs
● The audience (readership) for which the work is intended
7. Tone
The tone is the manner in which the author expresses himself or
herself.
● Tone conveys the emotions, underlying feelings and attitude of
the writer. This is imparted through the choice of vocabulary,
especially in direct speech, sentence length and punctuation.
● The tone may be described as friendly, sharp, sarcastic, ironic,
angry, humorous, or condescending.
● Tone helps to create the desired atmosphere.
8. Mood/Atmosphere
Mood/atmosphere is the pervading feeling that the reader
experiences. e.g It is created by the author through various language devices
and through his tone.
9. Register
The register is the appropriateness of style, tone and word choice.
● Word choice and language usage will differ e.g. between
children, teenagers and adults.
● Register depends on the type of writing, its purpose, the setting
and the audience.
10. Intention/Purpose
The intention is the purpose behind the work.
● The intention may be to entertain, inform or educate. A
combination of the three may be present.
● The success of a literary work depends, to a large extent, on
whether this intention has been met.
11. Comparative Literature/Intertextual reading
It is possible to compare and contrast all aspects of literature.
● The comparison and contrast may be within one literary work or
between different literary works.
● The analysis is referred to as intertextual reading.
● Allusion and Appropriation are examples of intertextuality.
● This interesting exercise forces you to focus and extends your
ability to think laterally.
12. Aside and Soliloquy
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A soliloquy is a speech in which a character shares their innermost
thoughts with the audience. The character appears to be talking to
themselves.
An aside is a short comment that is direct to the audience, or to himself,
while other actors on the stage appear not to hear. Only the audience
knows that the character has said something to them.
Difference between them: The difference between them is that an aside
is a shorter comment, while a soliloquy is a long speech. Another
difference is that an aside reveals hidden secrets or judgments,
whereas the soliloquy reveals motives, inner thoughts, or internal
struggles going on in the mind of the character.