Elements of Literary Genres
The arrangement of events or incidents in a story (not the same as the chronological sequence of events)
What is plot
This type of poetry is usually long and tells a story; often shares elements with fiction such as plot, character, and setting
What is narrative poetry
This type of narrator can tell us the inner thoughts and feelings of all the characters
What is omniscient or unlimited
A "text" in literary studies
What we are consuming - typically thought of as a book or other written form of literature; however, it is broad and includes TV, film, comics, podcasts, etc.
Refers to what the major characters do, the purposes and motives behind what they do, and the consequences of it
What is action
This type of poetry is usually short, expresses personal thoughts and feelings, and represents the words of a single speaker or persona
What is lyric poetry
This type of narrator tells the story from a single point of view (often that of one of the characters).
What is limited
"The canon" in literary studies
Accepted tradition of literary texts. Not static.
Protagonist, antagonist (could be hero/heroine and villain but not necessarily); minor ones can be “foils” to major ones
What is character
This type of poetry includes plays written in verse (such as those of Shakespeare) as well as poems that consist of dialogues or monologues (such as Poe’s “The Raven”)
What is dramatic poetry
This type of narrator simply describes the actions of characters, without revealing their subjective psychological states.
What is objective
"Criticism" in literary studies.
The analysis, interpretation, evaluation of a text/work/piece of literature
The scene (time and place) of the action; can be used to create a mood or atmosphere and can influence how we interpret actions and events
What is setting
A type of narrative poetry that expresses the worldview of a people or nation, tends to use elevated language, begins with an invocation to a muse, begins in media res, uses similes, uses stock themes – such as the arming of the hero
What is an epic
This type of narrator provides an account that we or the other characters know to be false or inaccurate.
What is unreliable
"Theory" in literary studies.
The actual system or way that analyze/interpret literature. The methods we use to analyze/interpret literature. Examples include feminist theory, queer theory, postcolonial theory, race theory, postmodern theory, etc.