Terminology and Reflection
Define Authorial Choice
What are textual features that are used by an author in order to convey a message to the reader?
Analyze an Authorial Choice in "Let It Be":
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
What is repitition? Used to create familitaity and directly address the reader. Continually reinforces message.
Identify an Authorial Choice in Time Magazine:
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What is juxtaposition? The happiness of graduation balloons is contrasted by dull looks and lighting.
Define Perspective
The representation of a particular perspective or perspectives within the text, or on the way in which the text represents the writer’s perspective
If you can guess this word for word you win the game.
At the beginning of the year I could not put together what an authorial choice even was. Eventually I got better at exploring how a message was created, but struggled to notice features other than plot. However, by analyzing a large number of texts I was able to pick up on common textual features used and then look for those textual features in other texts. Being able to identify these textual features really helped me, as I could look across all textual features and see what message was emerging overall.
This cannot be an authorial choice.
What is plot? The plot is simply the progression of the story, not a textual feature.
Identify the Authorial Choice in "Masters of War":
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
What is word choice? The specific choice of repeating the word "you" points blame at a specific audience and lets the reader know who the message is directed towards.
Identify an Authorial Choice in Black Panther:
What is Symbolism? T'challa wears the subtle silver suit showing his selflessness and wanting to help his people while Killmonger wears the flashy gold suit symbolizing his selfishness.
Define Communication
The representation of acts of communication, or failures in communication, in the text, or on the way in which the text itself represents an act of communication
Focus on not what message is created but instead ...
... how the message is created. This is the way to determine authorial choices in the text.
Identify the Authorial Choice in Antigone:
Creon: Like father, like daughter: both headstrong, deaf to reason!
She has never learned to yield.
She has much to learn.
The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron
Cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their necks
At the pull of the smallest curb.
What is Meatphor? A metaphor is used here to establish the perspective of Creon as Antigone not doing something out of the kindness of her heart, but a no good thief.
Identify an authorial choice in Spider-man Into the Spider-Verse
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What is Framing? Miles and his Dad are framed close together while separated by the wall. Symbolizing how they are still close, even while not talking.
Define Creativity
The representation of individual or collective creativity, or lack of creativity, within the text, or on the way in which the text represents the creativity of the writer
Authorial Choices only present in non-literary texts.
What are lighting, color, and music? Non-literary texts can have all the same elements of literary texts in the dialogue, but literary texts are missing the visual aspect. Therefore focusing on these unique aspects for NLTs are important.
Identify an Authorial Choice in Pride and Prejudice:
"Oh! no, my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing you so full of both. I know you will do him such ample justice, that I am growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent. Your profusion makes me saving; and if you lament over him much longer, my heart will be as light as a feather."
"Poor Wickham! there is such an expression of goodness in his countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner!"
What is punctuation? Punctuation as exclamation points in this passage emphasizes the emotions of the characters.
Identify the Authorial Choice in the Nike Ad:
What is the absence of color? The ad is in black and white. This is done to send a message that it does not matter what people look like on the outside, people are at the core all similar to each other.
Define Transformation
The representation of transformation or transformative acts in the text, or on the way in which the text itself is a transformative act either of other texts through intertextual reference to them or of reality
When is an authorial choice contributing to an overall message?
When an authorial choice works in tandem with others throughout a scene, chapter, or entire text, that is when authorial choices can be examined as contributing to an overall message.
Identify the Authorial Choice in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close:
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What are the red circles? The red circles show the effect of trauma on Oskar's father. This implies that Oskar’s father’s obsessiveness is related to this traumatic event.
Identify an Authorial Choice in Red's Dream:
What is Lighting? When Red is in the Dream the light is always focused on him, however when in reality he is only surrounded by dull lighting, showing dreams bring happiness, but reality is still sad.
Define Representation
The way in which the text represents different themes, attitudes, and concepts, or in the extent to which language and literature can actually represent reality