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Metaphor & simile
Writers often use analogy to convey their message. An analogy is the comparison of two things. In language, we do this through metaphor or simile. By focusing on a writer's use of metaphor and simile,...
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Exposition
The exposition of a story is its starting point. The opening lines of a novel, the initial scene of a play or the opening shot of a movie all set the mood for the audience. You could say that authors...
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Diction
Diction is a rather difficult concept to define, but one you need to be able to discuss in textual analysis. Diction is the writer's choice of vocabulary, use of verb tense and style of narration. It...
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Characterization 2
In the previous activity on characterization (Characterization 1), we asked ourselves how writers develop a character through dialogue, action and narration. Rather than focusing on how writers construct...
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Characterization 1
Why do some fictional characters seem so real? How do writers bring these imaginary people to life? Characterization, or the art of creating a character, is a literary device that relies on narrative...
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Key concepts Free
This section includes simple, 'one-off' lessons that focus on a teaching strategy or method of textual analysis. Rather than focusing on one particular literary text, these lessons demonstrate activities...
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Context of interpretation
Have you ever read a very popular or famous literary text that you simply did not like? How can this be? Perhaps the writer of the text did not have you in mind when writing. Perhaps the writer had a...
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Key concepts
In Part 3 - Literature: texts and contexts there are several key concepts that help us make informed interpretations of texts. If we are going to meet the learning outcomes, we will want to become familiar...
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The Internet
In Part 2 we are asked to explore the relation between medium and message. Every medium affects its message. Form affects content. This is to say that the same idea may be represented differently on a...
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Sensationalism
'If it bleeds it leads' is a common expression in the media world, meaning negative, sensational stories tend to receive more attention than positive stories. In this lesson we will see how the media...