V3, week 11 (2025)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Hello hello!

Finish one of the sentences below

1. Last week was...

2. I am trying to save up for...

3. I get really tired from...

4. It makes me happy that...

Today

Literature lesson: Theme, characters, etc.

Symbolism, storyline, climax

Read your book, think about your trailer

Why is literature important?

What is important to any narrative?

character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme

Theme: 

Literally/

figuratively

(not one word, a
sentence)

                  P.O.V:

                                First person

                                 Second person

                                  Third person

                                Implicit and                              explicit

                                 

Themes in literature

Message of author

More than just a subject-
matter

'Loyalty is what keeps
friendships intact'

How do I find the theme of a story?

Look for patterns. When reading a book or story, look for patterns or common ideas that keep popping up. ...

Pay attention to characters. Characters can reveal a lot about a story's theme. ...

Look for symbols. (more on symbols later)

Think about the title.

Theme

Lying can have serious consequences / The importance of being truthful

What could the theme of this story be?

consequences of lying / importance of honestly

Some elements in your book could point to the theme of your book!

An important one being symbolism!

Symbolism is a literary device where symbols are used to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal sense. These symbols are the silent characters in stories, influencing without words, drawing connections between the text and the larger human experience.

Authors use symbolism to provide a richer reading experience. 

What is a symbol in literature

1. a figure of speech that represents another thing
2. A printed or written sign

Eternity

Anger / passion

Wisdom, knowledge

Transformation

Temptation

There is a difference between implicit and explicit characterization..

What could be the difference?

Characterization

Think of what implicit (indirect) character trait is shown?

What do we call the main character of a story?

1. Antagonist
2. Protagonist

What is an antagonist?

How a story is built

Within literature, a structure is used to show how the story is built...

Let's check if you already know an important feature of this structure!

What is a climax?

Climax is the highest point of tension or drama in a narratives’ plot. Often, climax is when the main problem of the story is faced and solved by the protagonist.

Exposition: Characters and setting are established 

Conflict: issue or problem is introduced. This can be an internal conflict or an external conflict

Rising action: The conflict begins to affect the characters, complicating their lives.

Climax: The conflict is faced during the main, most dramatic event of the story/turning point

Falling action: The story begins to slow down, showing results of the climax.

Resolution: The story is tied up and concluded.

Give examples of internal and external conflicts

A super short story

This simple nursery rhyme follows the basic story structure: 

'Little miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey; Along came a spider who sat down beside her and frightened miss Muffet who thus went away. Miss Muffet looked for and found a new spot to eat, it was peaceful and neat'

Book trailer

Go through book trailer together, answer question on learnbeat.

Try to find an answer:

What is the theme of your book?

Who is the protagonist/antagonist?

Can you find the six parts in your book?