Introduction To Literature - Notes

ENG 120 NOTES
LESSON 1
TOPIC: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE AT KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY
AIMS:
1. To appreciate reading literature

2. To be able to derive pleasure from reading
3. To make a student understand self and others (Humane)
OBJECTIVES
1. To get first-hand knowledge of literary texts or works/books

2. To be able to recognise the genre of prose
3. To be able to show awareness of how convention forms are a reflection of time and
society they are produced
4. To demonstrate high level of competence in writing literary essays
5. To be able to show expertise in handling literary questions
6. To develop personal response to literary texts
- Personal response here entails that a student should have:
(a) Special vision (your own original response)
(b) New view point
(c) Authentic response
(d) Not to plagiarise (not to steal other people’s viewpoints/ideas
7. To develop appropriate reading skill
8. To develop high degree of competence in analysis of prose
9. To show how writers use language to obtain aims
10. To show how writers use non-linguistic strategies to achieve their aims.
HOW TO STUDY LITERATURE
The following are important when studying literature:
1. Try to enjoy the subject

2. Drive pleasure as it is aesthetic
3. Develop the right attitude
4. If given anything to read, read it at least 3 times - for comprehension.
5. You should read in a very slow methodical way
6. Read literature in a calm mind for maximum concentration
7. Read in short spurts so as to digest the text
8. Take notes as you study/read the text
9. You need a dictionary nearby as you read
LESSON 2
WHAT IS LITERATURE?
Note that there are problems of defining Literature
Objectives (Learning)
1. State various definitions of literature

2. Be able to show inadequacies and weakness in the various definitions
3. Be able Come up with own definition of literature
Note: that there is no agreement as to what literature is definition.
DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
1. Literature is everything that is written.

- This definition can only be described as cumbersome. Dictionary meaning refers to
what is written. Scholars do not accept this definition on the basis that it can also refer
to maths, diagrams etc. There is also literature in oral form (orality) and is
widespread as evidenced by the writing of Ruth Finnegan. Therefore, the above
definition of literature is inadequate.
2. Literature is anything that is fiction. Something that is made up by an author. This is only
50% correct. This definition implies that feelings, interpretation in attitude – subjects, if
accent constitutes what you feel then that are literature. If accent is on subjectivity e.g.
letters, biographies, autobiographies. All literature appeals to emotion and not rationally.
(read more on this definition)
3. Literature is language which is well used and heightened. This definition means that
anything with heightened language is literature. This is not adequate too because most
language in novels is not heightened. Heightened language is common to Poetry. Other
aspects are not covered in this definition e.g. prose as in biographies, letters, and short
stories.
4. Literature is a reflection of life. This definition is anchored on message for life. Imitation
of life and this is the oldest definition of literature dating back as 4 BC by people like
Plato and Aristotle the author of Poetics. Held forth until 18 th c. However, this definition
was true to graphics, plastic not words which are abstract. Hence, it does not reflect the
innermost. This is also called mimetic. This also restricts literature to ‘school of realism
(true reflection of life or society) as opposed to grotesque(e.g. Kafka),fable,
allegory(what you see on surface is different) e.g. Bunyan (based on distortion not
realism)
5. Literature has imaginative words that enable or enrich mankind. Makes person much
better. It is viewed as a molarity improver. The 20th century has opposed as it is
permissible even books that describe and write about immorality even when subject
matter is offensive. It also says literature is something that teaches good things in its
message. However, the beauty of message is not the cradle of literature work.
LESSON 3
INTRODUCTION TO WRITING SKILLS AND PROSE FICTION
Constructing a Literary Essay
In literature, when constructing a literary essay there are instruction words such as Explain,
Elucidate, Describe, and Analyse that should be taken seriously. These are words that have to be
considered to have a good literary essay.
When constructing a literary essay, we should note the following points:
 You should be able to state the procedure for preparing literary essay
 Demonstrate an ability to write a detailed essay plan
 You should be able to distinguish between an expository and argumentative essay
 Should be able to state most important elements of introduction on essay writing
 You should be able to construct restricted, unified and precise theses
 Should be able to state the form of language (state the language of formal essay)
 You should be able to state the format of literary essay
 Should have the ability to document a literary essay
 Should be able to write footnotes, references and biographies
GENERAL REMARKS/POINTS
 You should understand the question – limit yourself to the question

 Think of the book and consult the notes – read it cover to cover at least 3 times. Also read
lecture notes and critical works.
 Plan – write detailed essay plan
 Everything that is not directly relevant should not be included
 Avoid points not supported by proof – you should specify
 Never tell the story for the sake of telling a story (which is infantile) but focus on the
question
 Brief reference from the book – mention the episode
 Proofread or read your work before submitting it for marking
 Give specific examples
 And do not be afraid of making mistakes – be original not conventional.
Detailed Essay Planning Contains the Following:
 6 paragraphs in the main body

 Good content
 Good structure
 Expansion
MANNER AND STYLE
1. Formal – the language used must be formal and the tone – glittering – clear essays
2. Avoid Repetition -

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ENG 120 NOTES

TOPIC: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE AT KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY

1. To appreciate reading literature

1. To get first-hand knowledge of literary texts or works/books

HOW TO STUDY LITERATURE

The following are important when studying literature:

1. Try to enjoy the subject

Note that there are problems of defining Literature

1. State various definitions of literature

Note: that there is no agreement as to what literature is definition.

1. Literature is everything that is written.

INTRODUCTION TO WRITING SKILLS AND PROSE FICTION

Constructing a Literary Essay

When constructing a literary essay, we should note the following points:

 You should understand the question – limit yourself to the question

 6 paragraphs in the main body

MANNER AND STYLE

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