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Literature: An
Introduction to
Reading and Writing
by Roberts and Jacobs

English Composition III
Mary F
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Genres
• Four genres of literature:
– Prose fiction
• Myths, parables, romances, novels, short stories

– Poetry
• Open form and closed form
• Relies on imagery, figurative language, sound

– Drama
• Made up of dialogue and set direction
• Designed to be performed

– Nonfiction prose
• News reports, feature articles, essays, editorials,
textbooks, historical and biographical works

Guidelines for Reading Literature
• First reading
– Determine what is happening, where, what, who is
involved, major characters
– Make a record of your reactions and responses
– Describe characterizations, events, techniques and ideas

• Second reading
– Trace developing patterns
– Write expanded notes about characters, situations,
actions
– Write paragraph describing your reactions and thoughts
– Write down questions that arise as you read (in the
margins)

Writing a Precis
• Precis = a concise summary = paraphrase
– Retell the highlights so reader will know main sections
– Only essential details – they must be correct and
accurate
– Must be an original essay, written in your own words
– Be sure to introduce the title and author
– Avoid judgments
– Use present tense when retelling a story

Elements of Fiction
• Essence of fiction = narration (the telling)
• Elements of fiction = verisimilitude and donnee
– Verisimilitude = realism
• Must be compelling enough that the reader can “suspend
disbelief”

– Donnee = premise
• Something given by which you can judge the realism =
ground rules

• Sources of elements
– Character, plot, structure, theme, symbolism, style,
point of view, tone, irony

Plot and Structure
• Plot = reflection of motivation and causation
– No plot = The king died and then the queen died
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• Conflict = controlling impulse in a connected
pattern of causes and effects
– Opposition of two or more people (e
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, hatred, envy,
anger, argument, avoidance, gossip, lies, fighting, etc
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– Antagonist = the person causing the conflict, in opposition to
the protagonist, the obstacle, etc
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Idea or Theme
• Idea = results of general and abstract thinking

– In literature, ideas relate to meaning, interpretation,
explanation and significance

• Literature embodies values along with ideas

– Ideas are vital to an understanding and appreciation of
literature

• Ideas are not as obvious as character or setting
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• Theme can be found in any of these:
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–
–
–
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Direct statements by the authorial voice
Direct statements by a first-person speaker
Dramatic statements by characters
Figurative language, characters who stand for ideas
The work itself



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