Reading and Writing About Fiction

1
Reading and Writing About Fiction

• The Bedford Introduction to Literature

2
Read Responsively

• Definition of literature
• Value of literature
• Intense and demanding
• Must have a conscious, sustained involvement w/a
  literary work
• Both the reader and the writer create the work
• Different people respond differently to the same
  work

3
PREDICT

• Predict what may happen by relating clues in the
  story to what you already know.
• Say to yourself
• The title suggests that this story may be about
• This character will probably
• The next event is probably going to be
• This story is different from my original
  prediction. Now I think

4
Connect

• Connect people, places, and events in the story.
  Compare with people, places, and events in your
  own life.
• Ask yourself
• How might I act or respond if I were this
  character?
• What events from my life does this situation
  bring to mind?
• Is this setting similar to any place I have been?
• Is this character like anyone I have known or
  read about?

5
Question

• Question constantly to clarify specific aspects
  of the story.
• Ask yourself
• Do I understand what is going on here?
• What caused that to happen?
• What motivated the character to say or do that?
• What does this mean?

6
Visualize

• Visualize the action based on the details you are
  given.
• Ask yourself
• How does this setting/character/object look?
• Who is in this scene?
• Where are the characters/objects in relation to
  one another and to their surroundings?

7
Evaluate

• Evaluate by forming opinions and making judgments
  about the story. After you have finished
  reading, review and revise your ideas in light of
  what you have learned.
• Ask yourself
• Is this turn of events believable?
• Is this character acting or responding in a
  realistic way?
• What is particularly effective about this
  writers style?
• Do I agree with this idea?

8
Review

• Review and summarize related events occasionally
  as you read.
• Say to yourself
• So far
• In other words,

9
Respond

• Respond and react while your are reading. Dont
  wait until you get to the end.
• Say to yourself
• This characters actions are so
  surprising/predictable/unusual
• If I were casting this as a movie, I would

10
Formula Fiction

• formula fiction
• title
• plot
• heroine
• hero
• secondary characters
• setting
• love scenes
• writing
• length

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Plot

• Plot
• exposition
• conflict
• rising action
• climax
• falling action
• resolution
• flashback

12
Character

• Characterization
• direct characterization
• indirect characterization
• dynamic character
• static character
• flat character
• stock character
• round character
• antagonist
• protagonist
• foil

13
Setting

• Setting
• time
• place
• social environment

14
Point of View

• Narrator
• Omniscient narrator
• Editorial omniscience
• Neutral omniscience
• Limited omniscient narrator
• Stream of consciousness technique
• Objective point of view
• First-person narrator
• Unreliable narrator
• Naïve narrator

15
Symbolism

• Conventional symbols
• Literary symbol
• Allegory

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Literary Elements

• Theme
• Style
• Diction
• Syntax
• Tone
• Mood
• Irony
• Verbal irony
• Situational irony
• Dramatic irony