home
Mission
//
home
//

English Literature

태그
Search
General

Syllabus Overview

Higher Level
Standard Level

Assessment Criteria

Paper 1
Paper 2
HL Essay
Individual Oral
1. Curricula

Stylistic Choices (non-literary)

2. Stylistic Choices
Fundamental question to consider when studying literature, or when studying any form of art:  Why should we care about characters or events that are fictional and not real?
To summarize, what fiction provides is theme, any idea or concept central to a work of art.  Even though the plot—the physical, literal events of a story—is fictional, the theme is very  much relevant in the real world.
For instance, the Harry Potter series contains numerous details—spells, potions, magical  creatures—that do not portray the world in which we live. However, the fictional plot of  Harry Potter offers depictions of love and death which are certainly important, meaningful  aspects of our world.
In other words, the theme connects a fictional story to our world. Ask yourself, What can I  find in this story that is meaningful in real life? There is NO single right answer to this  question. Even the same idea can be expressed in different words or phrases. Any aspect of  life that concerns us humans and is implied by the plot can be considered a theme. A literary  work does NOT explicitly state its themes; instead, it uses the plot to show its themes.
Since a literary work conveys multiple themes, perhaps the best way to approach literature is to identify two or three overarching themes and examine the ways in which key characters, scenes, and symbols link to these themes.
This type of critical thinking leads us to literary analysis. The first time you read a literary  work, you are focused on tracking the plot; in order to analyze the themes and the ways that  the themes are portrayed, it is essential to read the literary work for a second or even third  time.

List of common themes

Depictions of themes in works of fiction

Harry Potter
Death
The Harry Potter series explores the theme of death, specifically the fear of death which exists in all humans, even in those who are capable of using magic. The Philosopher’s  Stone can extend life indefinitely while wizards who fear death can choose to become ghosts  when they die. Voldemort creates Horcruxes to prevent death while the Hallows represent the  way Harry accepts death as a natural course.
Love
3. Theme

Literary Terms

Character

Point of View

Narrative

Figurative Language

Poetry Terms and Sound Devices

4. Literary Terms

Annotating a non-literary passage

1. Begin with fundamental details → writer, title, text type, context, topic
•
What information is provided about the writer?
•
To what extent do the details of when and where the passage was published affect its contents?
•
Expressed in as few words as possible, what is the topic?
2. Identify the purpose of the passage
•
What is the passage trying to say or achieve regarding its topic?
3. Consider the target audience, whether or not it plays a significant role in the purpose
4. Identify the attitude or perspective of the writer
•
How would you describe the tone? → e.g. emotional or neutral; positive or negative; appreciative or critical; light-hearted or serious
5. Consider whether or not the passage has a secondary, or even tertiary, purpose
•
If so, how does this additional purpose connect to the primary purpose?
6. Return to the originally identified purpose, and elaborate or clarify as needed
7. Find specific stylistic choices, using the following guidelines
5. Annotation

Literature Paper 1

Example: literary analysis
Introduction
1. General observation
2. Author’s name and title of the piece in relation to the General observation
3. Thesis statement
Breaking down each step
1. General observation  (Zoom out. What’s the big picture? What is the text about from a broad, thematic perspective? Consider the author’s purpose)
2. Author’s name and title of the piece in relation to the General observation
3. Thesis statement (how your analysis connects to the thesis)
Entire Intro
Atmosphere has a way of transporting us to depths of our imagination, allowing readers to journey beyond the confines of their own reality and explore new emotional landscapes, cultures, and experiences. In Amit Chaudhuri's novel "A Strange and Sublime Address," Chaudhuri paints a scene that transports readers to the domestic setting of a family in Kolkata  while also cultivating an atmosphere of resignation toward government inefficiencies. Through descriptive language, vivid imagery, and subtle symbolism, Chaudhuri creates an immersive experience that captivates the senses and evokes a range of emotions in the reader.
Body
1. Topic
6. Essay Organization w/ Sample Paragraphs
Search
Text Specific

Purpose & Effect

Prose, poetry, and drama have in common the following purpose and effect
Entertainment & Shared experience
The word “entertainment” implies a sense of levity and amusement. The ability to escape into these fictional realms offers a refreshing break from daily routines and challenges.
Granted, films tend to be more geared towards entertainment than theatrical plays in general as evidenced by the stark difference in box office returns.
Films also tend to be more accessible to the average person. Its bells and whistles- the likes of special effects, CGI, cinematography techniques, camera angles, sound effects, editing techniques- certainly add to that effect as they can create a visual spectacle.
Plays are entertaining too, but in general there tends to be a greater sense of earnestness on the part of playwrights. Plays tend to go beyond entertainment in that they are intent on capturing aspects of our society so as to spark important conversations that need to be had as a society.
Shared experience of storytelling: Because plays are live performances, they offer intimacy, and immediacy, fostering a shared experience of storytelling. The closeness between actors and audience creates intimacy & vulnerability, allowing for a deeper connection to the characters and story.
By fostering connection, engagement, and immediacy, theater has the power to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and inspire social change in impactful ways.
Escapism & Audience engagement
Plays transport us into different worlds, cultures, and perspectives, thus offering us a welcome break from the mundane realities of everyday life.
Plays like Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" or "Julius Caesar" transport audiences to historical settings, reimagining pivotal events and figures with dramatic flair. Similarly, works based on mythology, such as Sophocles’ "Oedipus Rex," delve into the ancient past to explore timeless human themes like fate, justice, and revenge
Some plays create worlds that reflect the inner psyche of characters, blending reality with psychological landscapes. Tennessee Williams’ "The Glass Menagerie" portrays a world that shifts between the harsh reality of the characters’ lives and their nostalgic, dream-like recollections. Similarly, Arthur Miller’s "Death of a Salesman" blurs the lines between past and present, reality and illusion, to delve into the protagonist's deteriorating mental state.
In Common

Purpose & Effect

Where prose diverges from poetry and drama
Complex, multifaceted stories
Prose presents complex and detailed narratives, facilitating the development of intricate plots,  extensive world-building, and flexibility in style and structure.
This aspect of prose enables a deep exploration of themes and characters' thoughts and motivations, resulting in rich, multifaceted stories that captivate and engage readers in ways often  through poetry or drama.
Exposition & Knowledge advancement
Prose excels in delivering information clearly and logically, making it the preferred medium for novels, short stories, essays, articles, reports, and other non-fiction forms. It focuses on clear communication, explanation, and exposition of ideas and facts.
Prose’s ability to communicate ideas clearly, organize information logically, and engage readers intellectually contributes to the advancement of knowledge, critical thinking, and discourse in various fields.
Everyday Language & Accessibility
Prose uses ordinary, grammatical language without the need for the metrical constraints found in poetry or the dialogue-driven format of drama. This makes prose accessible and versatile for a wide range of subjects and styles.
This aspect of prose is conducive to clear communication across a wide range of subjects and styles. It empowers writers to express themselves authentically while enabling readers to engage with ideas and narratives in a manner that’s direct and comprehensible.
Fiction VS Non fiction Difference
Prose

Purpose & Effect

Where poetry diverges from prose and drama
Medium of presentation & Memorability
The rhythmic patterns and musicality of poetry enhance its presentation. Whether through structured forms like sonnets and haikus or free verse, the rhythm and cadence of poetry can captivate listeners, drawing them into the flow of the language and enhancing the overall experience.
The rhythmic structure and memorable language of poetry make it highly conducive to memorization and recitation. This quality enhances its effectiveness as a medium of presentation, allowing for the retention and dissemination of important ideas, stories, and cultural values across generations.
Structural Focus
The structural choices in a poem, such as meter, rhyme scheme, and stanzaic arrangement, are not just aesthetic decisions; they also serve to convey meaning. For example, a poem written in free verse without a strict meter or rhyme scheme may convey a sense of freedom, spontaneity, or chaos, aligning with themes of individuality or the unpredictability of life. Conversely, a poem with a structured form like a sonnet or villanelle may convey a sense of order, control, or constraint, reflecting themes of tradition, stability, or confinement. By aligning the structural elements with the poem's thematic content, poets can enhance the clarity and resonance of their message.
The rhythm and cadence created by meter can evoke various emotions, from tranquility to agitation, while the repetition and symmetry of rhyme scheme can instill a sense of harmony or tension.
By manipulating formal elements such as stanzaic arrangement, line length and breaks, rhyme scheme, meter, and visual elements, poets create works that engage readers in a dynamic process of interpretation, fostering deeper engagement and appreciation of the poem's richness and complexity.
Lyricism & Interpretation
Lyricism seeks to create aesthetic beauty through the skillful use of language, imagery, and poetic techniques. Lyric poetry often features musicality, rhythm, and lyrical language, which contribute to its artistic appeal and sensory richness. Poets employ techniques such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and onomatopoeia to enhance the musicality of their verse, creating a harmonious interplay of sound and meaning
Lyricism elevates language to a heightened level of beauty and aesthetic appeal, which invites readers to experience the sheer beauty of words and imagery, thus imbuing poetry with a sense of musicality, rhythm, and sensory richness that dazzle the senses, delight the imagination and leaving an indelible impression on the reader's soul.

Techniques

Poetry

Purpose & Effect

Where drama diverges from poetry and prose
The following characteristics shape the unique role and experience of drama within the broader landscape of literary expression.
Performance & Dynamic characterization
Unlike prose and poetry, which are primarily written to be read silently, drama is meant to be enacted by actors in front of an audience, whether on stage or screen This performance-centered nature shapes the structure, style, and content of dramatic works, prioritizing elements like staging and character portrayal.
Drama's performance-centered approach offers unique opportunities for dynamic characterization, visual storytelling, interactive engagement, and collaborative creativity.
Dialogue & Plot
Drama relies heavily on dialogue to advance the plot, develop characters, and convey themes. In contrast, prose may incorporate dialogue but also includes narrative exposition and description, and poetry employs condensed and stylized language. Unlike prose and poetry, drama places a central focus on the spoken word. Dialogue is the primary means of communication between characters, driving the action and revealing their motivations, conflicts, and relationships
Dialogue in drama is a versatile tool that serves multiple functions, from driving the plot and revealing character to exploring themes and shaping mood. Its power lies in its ability to capture the essence of human experience, fostering connection, empathy, and understanding among audiences.
Visual/Spatial Considerations & Immersion
Drama incorporates visual and spatial elements, such as stage directions and set design. These elements contribute to the overall aesthetic and impact of a dramatic performance, shaping the audience's perception and interpretation of the work. Prose and poetry, on the other hand, rely primarily on language to evoke imagery and create atmosphere, with less emphasis on visual presentation.
The visual and spatial considerations in drama allow for immersive, multi-dimensional worlds that resonate with audiences on a visceral and emotional level. By integrating these elements with language and performance, playwrights, directors, and designers, and actors create dynamic works of art that transcend the confines of the stage, leaving a lasting impact on both individual spectators and collective cultural consciousness.
Immediate Emotional Impact & Lasting impression
Drama