What is Literature? Comparing Genres

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2 What is Literature? Literature is any written piece that is of importance. This is your first year of literature studies. Here, you will learn how to review other s written work and analyse the style of writing and the significance thereof. Comparing Genres This year you will be studying 5 different genres of literature. Folklore, short stories, poetry, drama and a novel. The following table points out the differences and similarities between 4 of these genres. The novel will be done separately.

3 Feature Folklore Short Story Poetry Drama Length External Structure Internal Structure Figurative Language Purpose Genre specific features Types Usually fairly short, shorter than the average short story. Length can vary, but short enough to read in one sitting. Usually quite short, only a few lines long. Some poems though can go on for pages Dramas are acted on stage and so the length of the script is according to the length of the play. Divided into Divided into Divided into lines and Divided into scenes paragraphs. paragraphs. stanzas. and acts. Poems make use of Written in dialogue. punctuation, changes Stage directions and in font and varying direction to actors are lengths of lines to given in italics. convey messages. Yes, figures of speech, Yes, figures of speech, Yes, figures of Characters may use sound devices and sound devices and speech, sound figurative language, figurative language are figurative language are devices and figurative but because a play used to create used to create language are used to consists of dialogue meaning, mood and meaning, mood and create meaning, this does not happen tone. tone. mood and tone. A often. poem may use extended metaphors to convey the poem s message. To teach a moral To entertain and share To encourage people To be visually lesson. ideas. to think about life and entertained. To react to the message encourage people to of the poem. think about life and react to the message of the play. Animal characters; Clear setting; plot; Figures of speech; Stage directions; unrealistic elements; protagonist; antagonist; sound devices; dialogue; props; set in a fantasy land a conflict; rising actions; numbered lines; setting; monologues; long time ago; magical climax and resolution; poetic devices; a soliloquies; asides; elements; good vs. evil; different types of speaker. narrator. third person narration. narration. Fables; Western Fantasy; horror; Ballad; sonnet; Pantomime; One act; traditional; African. classic; drama; science classic; modern; many acts. fiction. protest; praise.

4 1. Short stories Definition: A short story can usually be read in a short amount of time. It has all the features of a novel, but isn t as developed. Key features of short stories Introduction: A short paragraph that sets the scene and introduces the main character. Character: a person in a novel, play or film. Characterisation: describing distinctive characteristics and essential features of the character. Setting: the place or type of surroundings where the event takes place. The Situation: A second paragraph that explains what the situation or problem is that the main character must solve. This paragraph introduces the conflict within the story. Conflict: disagreement or disharmony between people or ideas, a clash. Body: One or two events that develop the plot and prepare the reader for the climax. Plot: main events of a story line. The Climax: MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE STORY that has the main character solving the situation. Conclusion: A paragraph to end the story, explaining how all the pieces of the story come together. Theme: the subject or idea behind the piece of literature.

5 2. Novels The Billion Dollar Soccer Ball Pre-reading Discuss in class what you think this book is about? Look at the title, index, chapters and the glossary. The Billion Dollar Soccer Ball is set in Zimbabwe. What do you know about Zimbabwe? Who is the current president of Zimbabwe? What do you know about this person? Character Sketches What are character sketches? A character sketch is NOT A DRAWING!

6 A character sketch is a written description of a character s personality and traits. Use the things a character says and the way that they behave to assist in drawing conclusions of their personality. Can you write a character sketch of all the main characters in this book? Part one 1. How does Grandpa Longdrop feel about the soldiers at first? Why? (2) 2. Why do you think the soldiers came to this particular village? (1) 3. How did Deo and Innocent escape the killing? (3) 4. Why does Deo have to lie to Innocent about what has happened to their mother and their grandfather? (2) 5. How does Deo stop the Green Bombas from taking Innocent away with them in Bikita? (3) 6. Why does Deo start calling his ball his billion dollar soccer ball? (1) 7. What were the main dangers Deo and Innocent had to overcome whilst travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe? (3) 8. What is a democracy? How do we know the followers of Zed have no understanding of or respect of a democracy? (3) Total: 18

7 Part two 1. Why were the local villagers upset with the refugees who worked on the tomato farm? (2) 2. Why do you think Philani helped Deo and Innocent leave the farm? (2) 3. Who lives in the bridge? What are their names, where do they come from, and what do they do? (12) 4. Why did Deo go to Alexandra and leave Innocent at the bridge? (2) 5. How did Deo know that Innocent would be at the bridge after he lost him? (1) 6. Why do you think the local people attacked refugees? How do you feel about how they handled the situation? (3) 7. Imagine you were Deo. Write a journal entry for the night spent at the church grounds before Deo found Innocent. Word count: words. (10) Total: 32 Part three 1. What kind of life has Deo been leading for the past 18 months? (3) 2. Why is Deo tempted to run away at the end of chapter 23? (2) 3. When Salie gets the team to tell their stories, how do things change? Why do you think this happens? (3) 4. What did Innocent keep in his Bix-box? Explain the significance of each (18) item. 5. When T-Jay is interviewed by CNN, how has his attitude changed towards refugees (2) 6. Keelan said to Deo, But this is yours... this is what you brought here. She was referring to the soccer ball. Explain what she means. (2) 7. Draw up an advert to create awareness and raise funds for the 2017 Street Soccer World Cup. (10) Total: 40

8 Post-reading Narration This story is written in the first person, with Deo narrating the story. 1. How does this affect the way we understand and relate to the story? (2) Themes The major theme in this novel is Prejudice: How people make judgements about others without having a clear understanding of them beforehand. Prejudice against refugees is called xenophobia. 1. What prejudice does Deo meet: * at the tomato farm? * in Alexandra? * in Cape Town? (9) Happy Endings 1. Why do you think the writer chose to end the story before the final game finishes? (2)

9 3.What is drama? Drama refers to all kinds of plays. Plays are written to be acted on stage. So, in other words, a play is a story which is acted out. The word drama comes from the Greek word, which means action. The ancient Greeks watched plays in open-air theatres more than 2000 years ago. Women were not allowed to act in those days, so men had to wear masks for different characters. Today, these marks are the symbols of drama. The picture of the two masks shows a happy face and a sad face. They represent two main kinds of drama that people watched then: comedy and tragedy. Generally speaking, a comedy has a happy ending and a tragedy has a sad ending. Just as there are many different kinds of stories to read, there are also many different kinds of plays to watch. Here are some examples: Improvisation - actors get little or no time to prepare for the play. Role Play - actors pretend to be a character and act out a scene. Mime - only facial expression and body language are used in the performance. Masked drama - the main props are masks and the actors use only their voices for expression. Puppet plays - puppets become the characters. Performance poetry - actors act out the story from a poem. Musical - actors use speaking and singing to tell a story. Pantomime - a funny play for children that is usually performed at Christmas. You are going to study a play this term called, Every dog has its day by Helen Brain and Ted Faulkner.

10 What do you think this play could be about? Prepare to read 1. Study the title Every dog has its day. a) Choose which explanation below explains what this saying means: Every dog has its day of the week. Every dog and person has a time when they can shine. Every dog has a day when they die. b) Use the title and its meaning to predict what you think this play will be about. 2. Plays are all about people and so characterisation is important. a) Look at the character list on the next page and predict who you think the main character will be. b) Make connections between the names and see if your connections are correct as you read the play. 3. Copy 7 of these diagrams below into your books. Fill them in for the following characters as you read the play. Adjectives: Character: Round Flat Proof: Proof: Proof: Protagonist Antagonist

11 Every dog has its day By Helen Brain and Ted Faulkner The cast Eva Gran Mom Dad Dumi Brent Feroza Learners Mrs Rinquest (class teacher) Professor Ngcobo Mr Lategan Characters The setting The action takes place in a suburban kitchen, a classroom, a principal s office, on a river bank and in a school hall. The setting for the whole play The props Four chairs and a table. (The same five pieces of furniture can be used for the interior scenes placed in different positions. The table can be upturned to represent a rock in the river.) A toy dog (Dachshund size) Files for the school children A large coffee table type book A basket A backpack The list of objects needed

12 The staging The play needs pace and flow, therefore a curtain is unnecessary. Use overhead lighting to isolate characters, such as the grandmother who is the narrator. If possible, an interchangeable backdrop can be created with painted background scenes on boards: the interior of a kitchen with a window, the back wall of a classroom and a scene showing vegetation. Read the drama in class and assign a learner to each character Questions Act 1: Scene 1 1. Where does Act 1 Scene 1 take place? (1) 2. Who is the narrator in this play? (1) 3. Describe this setting. (2) 4. Describe Eva s character, according to Gran. (3) 5. What do we call the information in brackets and italics? (1) 6. What is the difference between a need and a want? (2) 7. Why won t Eva get a dog? (2) 8. Describe Eva s behaviour when her Dad tells her that she cannot get a dog. (2) 9. Do you think her parents are too strict? Explain. (2) Total: 15 Act 1: Scene 2 1. Describe the setting. (2) 2. Name the characters in scene two. (4) 3. Why was Eva late for class? What is her punishment for being late? (2) 4. What does Mrs Rinquest s sigh tell us? (2) 5. What begins the conflict with Eva and her friends? (2) 6. Are they justified in getting angry with Eva? Why? (2) Total: 14

13 Act 1: Scene 3 1. Describe the setting (3) 2. Name the new character in this scene. (1) 3. What do Eva s opening lines add to her character? (2) 4. What characteristics of Mr Lategan suit his stereotype of being a principal? (3) 5. What chance does Mr Lategan give to Eva? (2) 6. Give one word to describe Eva s feelings when she left the principal s office. (1) Total: 12 Act 1: Scene 4 1. Why does Eva feel miserable and embarrassed? (1) 2. Why do you think Eva hates Feroza? (2) 3. How did Eva propose to finish the work? (2) 4. Would you lend Eva the book? Why? (2) Total: 7 Act 1: Scene 5 1. Describe the setting. (2) 2. What does Eva decide to do instead of completing her assignment near the river? (2) 3. Why does Eva leave the book behind? (1) 4. What distracts Eva s attention away from completing her assignment? (1) 5. What else has Eva done that is very charitable? (2) 6. What 3 things did Eva leave behind? (3) Total: 11

14 1. Folklore Definition: A traditional story that is passed on from generation to generation. It often teaches a moral and includes unrealistic elements. Key features of short stories Introduction: A short paragraph that sets the scene and introduces the characters. Character: a person in a story, novel, play or film. Characterisation: describing distinctive characteristics and essential features of the character. Setting: the place or type of surroundings where the event takes place. The Situation: A second paragraph that explains what the situation or problem is that the main character must solve. This paragraph introduces the conflict within the story. Let your characters talk about the problem so that your reader can understand what problem they must solve. Body: The plot develops over usually 2-3 sets of events. Let your plot lead to an exciting climax of the story. The Climax: MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE STORY that has the main character solving the situation. Conclusion: A paragraph to end the story, explaining how all the pieces of the story come together. Moral: A lesson the reader has learnt from the story.