Literature

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Literature

Plot of story:

Plot and tension

• The plot is the development in the story. One action or event relates to another action or event.
  

       Example: The King died, and the Queen died of grief.

       The ‘wh-questions’ are a good means to discover the plot.

• Tension (or suspense) relates to the plot. The more (unexpected) things happen, the more tension a reader will experience.
  

So...

• The exposition/background is the starting point of the situation in the story.
  
• Then the plot develops: rising action, working its way towards the climax.
  
• The climax of the story is usually towards the end of the story, but not necessarily the end itself. It is the moment all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
  
• The denouement is the falling action: the story comes to an open or closed end.
  

Characters

• Protagonist, main character: usually one or two
• Antagonist: provides obstacles for the protagonist.
• Supporting characters do not have any development, usually.
•  Readers often connect with the protagonist.
  
• Description: often uses labels: e.g. jealous, courageous, cheeky, though, strong, weak, etc. 

Theme

• The theme is the message of the story. 
• When you know the theme you will understand the story. 
• Some keywords for themes: love - revenge - redemption - good vs evil 
• You need to be able to describe the theme, so a theme is usually more than a keyword. 
• Stories contain multiple themes  

Setting

• Time, place and social/historical context
•  Examples for place: country, house, room
• Examples for time: specific year or era, war time, future, seasons
• Sometimes there are no direct references, so look for clues. For example: references to historic events, name of the king/queen, is it inside our outside. 
• What ere the social norms: worlds with magic, dystopians, kingdoms etc.

For example: The philosopher's stone.

 Characters: protagonist (harry potter), antagonist (Voldemort)

Themes: confronting fears, friendship, love & death, fate.

Setting: 

Social: World of magic where non magic users are called muggles. 

Location: The school for wizards (Hogwarts).

Time: during a school 11 years after Voldemort was vanquished.

For example: The philosopher's stone.

Plot:

1. Background: Wizard world is introduced.

2. Rising action: Harry and friends learn of the philosopher's stone etc.

3. Climax: Harry fights Voldemort 

4. Falling action: After the fight Harry is in a hospital bed.

5. Resolution: Everyone goes home.

Speaking test

The test will be held individually during the testweek. You will have to speak for 15 minutes.

The first 10 minutes you can prepare the last 5 minutes will consist of answering questions about your chosen literature.

For this test you will have to read a book, a poem and 2 short stories.

Part 1

In the first part you will discuss your chosen book and poem.

This analysis will include:

A short summary (plot), characters (protagonist, antagonist etc.), setting (world, time, social etc.) and theme.

You will also analyse the poem and explain how the poem relates to the novel.

Part 2

In the second part of the test you will be asked questions relating to the novel, poem and short stories.