Major Works Data Sheet

How do I do this?

First Box

MLA Book Citation Author. Title. Place of publication: Date of publication.

Example:Tan, Amy. The Bonesetter’s Daughter. New York: Putnam, 2001.

*This info. Goes above the first box on page 1*

First Box (continued) Genre

A division or type of literature. Literature is commonly divided into three major genres:

Poetry Prose Drama

Genre - Poetry

Language in its most condensed form. Words are chosen and arranged to create a

certain effect. Poetry uses a variety of sound devices,

imagery, and figurative language to express emotions and ideas.

Genre – Poetry (continued)

Concrete Poetry Dramatic Poetry Epic Poetry - a long narrative poem about the

adventures of gods or a hero. Epics address universal concerns such as good and evil, life and death, sin and redemption, or other serious subjects.

Lyric Poetry

Genre - Prose

The ordinary form of written language. Most writing that is not poetry or drama is

considered prose. One of the major forms of literature, prose

occurs in two forms: fiction and non-fiction.

Genre - Prose – Fiction

Novel – a long work of fiction grouped by time period, subject/themes, or techniques used Adventure – An exciting undertaking involving risk

and physical danger. The fast-paced plot focuses on the actions of the protagonist within the setting

Robinsonade – simply described as a “desert island story”. The protagonist survives by his wits and the qualities of his cultural upbringing which also enable him to prevail in conflicts with fellow castaways.

Genre - Prose – Fiction – Novel (cont.)

Allegory – A figurative work in which a surface narrative carries a secondary, symbolic or metaphorical meaning.

Bildungsroman – A novel of personal development in which the protagonist is initiated into adulthood through knowledge, experience, or both, often by a process of disillusionment.

Genre - Prose – Fiction – Novel (cont.)

Quest or Journey – The story of someone who undergoes great tests of character to become the embodiment of the values of his or her society. The protagonist sets off on an actual journey, encountering danger and intrigue, adventures that form him or her into the person that he or she is meant to be.

Regional – A novel faithful to a particular geographic region and its people, including behavior, customs, speech, and history.

Genre - Prose – Fiction – Novel (cont.)

Social Realism – Literature that realistically depicts the life, struggles, and urban environment of the lower classes in the 20th century, and focuses on subjects of social and political concern, such as poverty and deprivation.

Genre - Prose – Fiction (continued)

Short story- a brief work of fiction that can usually be read in one sitting. In most, the story has one main conflict that involves the characters, keeps the story moving, and keeps it interesting.

Genre - Prose – Fiction (continued)

Fable – a brief tale told to illustrate a moral or teach a lesson.

Myth – a fictional tale, originally with religious significance that explains the actions of gods or heroes, or the causes of natural phenomena.

Legend – a widely told story about the past, one that may or may not have foundation in fact

Genre - Prose - Nonfiction

Prose writing that presents and explains ideas or that tells about real people, places, objects, or events.

Narrative Nonfiction – tells a true story that includes a real setting, all the elements of plot, actual people, and a point of view. It may also have a theme. And it is often told in chronological order.

Genre - Prose – Nonfiction (continued)

Autobiography – a form of nonfiction in which a person tells his or her own life story Memoir – a form of autobiographical writing in

which a person recalls significant events in his or her life. Memoirs often include writers’ feelings and opinions giving the reader insight.

Biography – a form of nonfiction in which a writer tells the life story of another person

Genre - Prose – Nonfiction (continued)

Essay – a brief composition on a single subject that usually presents the personal views of an author. Expository – used to explain something Narrative – tells a story Persuasive – used to convince Critical – evaluates Personal – expresses viewpoints by reflecting

Genre - Prose – Nonfiction (continued)

Speech – a talk or public address. The purpose of a speech may be to entertain, explain, persuade, or inspire, or it may be any combination of these aims.

Genre - Drama

Serious Drama – a story written to be performed by actors; developed into a sophisticated art form by the ancient Greeks who created the forms of comedy and tragedy. The first English dramas were miracle plays, Bible stories; and morality plays that dealt with personified virtues and vices.

Genre - Drama (continued)

Comedy – a work of literature, especially a play, that has a happy ending; often shows ordinary characters in conflict with their societies; problems resolved through laughter, reconciliation, and the correction of moral faults or social wrongs.

Tragedy – type of drama or literature that shows the downfall or destruction of a noble or outstanding person, traditionally one who possesses a character weakness called a tragic flaw

Genre - Drama (continued)

Biographical Drama – a work of dramatic fiction depicting the life story of a real person

Courtroom Drama – a work of dramatic fiction about law, crime, punishment of the legal profession.

Characteristics of Genre

What is it about this piece of literature that makes it fit the particular genre you have indicated?

Biographical information about the author.

This is where you will need to do a little research about your author.

Focus your entry on information that helped shape the author.

Use MLA citation for your sources!!!

Historical information about the period of publication.

Again you will need to do some research – this time about what was happening in the world at the time the book was published.

Focus your entries on what was going on in the world that may have influenced the author to write this particular book.

Use MLA citation for your sources!!!

Plot Summary (two sentences to explain each)

***PAGE NUMBERS!!! Exposition/Background Narrative Hook/Initial Conflict Rising Action Climax/Point of no return of MAIN conflict Falling Action Conclusion

Author’s Style!

Tone, Style, and Syntax go “hand in hand.” When you give your example; you must

explain what your example “shows” as far as style!

Include page numbers!!!

Memorable Quotes

If you could only pick five lines from the book that tells your reader everything he needs to know, what five lines would they be?

Identify the speaker of each quote as well as to whom they were speaking.

Where did you find each one? (page #) Significance: Why were each of these lines the most

important in the book? A minimum of five quotes!

Characters

Make them three dimensional

State full name Explain role in story – be specific Adjectives – again make vivid, specific choices Significance- why did the author put them in the book? Page numbers to support each of your adjectives!

Setting

When and where did this book take place? What is the cultural background of this

story? What do you think the author had in mind

when s/he chose this setting? Include page numbers!!!

Symbols

A symbol stands for something else. Literary symbolism combines the literal and the abstract. The American flag is a symbol of the United States and its democratic ideals. The dove symbolizes peace.

State at least three symbols in this work. Explain the meaning and significance of each of

these symbols. Identify the page numbers where these symbols

are found

Significance of opening scene.

Why did the author choose to start the book this particular way out of all the ways they could have started it?

Significance = Meaning Implication Consequence Worth Connotation

This is NOT simply a summary of the beginning. You need page numbers- Don’t assume it is only the first page.

Significance of closing scene

Why did the author choose to end the book this way out of all the possible ways to end it?

Significance = Meaning Implication Consequence Worth Connotation

This is NOT simply a summary of the ending. You need page numbers- Don’t assume it is only the last page.

AP Prompts!

You should identify as many years as possible that could be used with this novel. Refer to your handout: 1977-2007

Themes

Remember a theme is… Similar to the moral of a fable, it is a life lesson,

or an observation about life or human nature that the writer shares with a reader

State it as a complete sentence including both a subject/topic AND your opinion about that subject.

Theme itself does not include plot details, but the discussion of the theme must include them.

Possible Themes (continued)

Pick a topic such as maturity, friendship, love, desire, self-worth, thankfulness, superstitions, etc.

Add your opinion about that topic. Loyalty, affection, and conscience are far

more important than wealth and social position.

You MUST include multiple page numbers and multiple themes to receive full credit!