An AP English Literature unit of study at Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way West High Schools

What structures of convention limit the advancement of human kind? How do the structures of our society impact who we are and what we will be? Is there a realistic and moral compromise to the debate between science and religion? How does the structure of a text or poem affect its message? How does an author use elements of structure to create a universal message within a text? How does a poet manipulate structure to achieve a desired end? Why is structure important in my own writing? Frankenstein– How does context affect the creation and impact of a work? How do literary periods cue us in to what is important in a text? Student Writing – What are the common structures we can use in our own writing? How can a writer manipulate structure to achieve a desired end?

Setting (and all of those we studied with it! ) Parallel structure Plot structure Exposition Dénouement Frame Pericope

Definition the locale, time, and CONTEXT in which the ACTION of a literary work takes place. Related Devices :  Point of view  Narration  Dialect/Dialogue  Context  Juxtaposition  Irony  Voice  Tone  Mood

Definition Repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Parallel structure helps to organize ideas, making a text or speech easier to understand. Parallel structure can also create a satisfying rhythm in the language an author uses.

Definition The sequence of events within a literary work. Specific Devices: The first part is the rising action, in which complication creates some sort of conflict for the protagonist. The second part is the climax, the moment of greatest emotional tension in a narrative, usually marking a turning point in the plot at which the rising action reverses to become the falling action. The third part, the falling action (or resolution) is characterized by diminishing tensions and the resolution of the plot’s conflicts and complications. In medias res is a term used to describe the common strategy of beginning a story in the middle of the action. In this type of plot, we enter the story on the verge of some important moment.

Definition narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work, that provides necessary background information about the characters and their circumstances. Exposition explains what has gone on before, the relationships between characters, the development of a theme, and the introduction of a conflict. Related Devices: flashback

Definition A French term meaning "unraveling" or "unknotting," used to describe the resolution of the plot following the climax. This area of the text describes the effects of the resolution.

Definition The result of inserting one or more small stories within the body of a larger story that encompasses the smaller ones. Often this term is used interchangeably with both the literary technique and the larger story itself that contains the smaller ones, which are called pericopes, "framed narratives" or "embedded narratives." The most famous example is Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in which the overarching frame narrative is the story of a band of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury. The band passes the time in a storytelling contest. The framed narratives are the individual stories told by the pilgrims who participate

Definition In biblical studies, a story, brief passage, or selection from gospel narrative or passage found embedded inside another story, narrative, or passage. Passages of gospel text inserted at the head of a homily or sermon in medieval texts.

Romanticism As you read, apply your knowledge of Romanticism: Nature Transcendentalism Youth Exploration Gothic Developing Universal Messages As you read, focus on searching for Shelley’s beliefs regarding the following subjects: Danger of Knowledge Parental Responsibility Monstrosity Secrecy Of course, there are many more issues that Shelley also explores and implicitly makes statements regarding. These are merely starting points for your reading!

Reading Assignments The Letters, Chapters 1-10 – DUE Tuesday, September 8th – Seminar #1, September 8th – DUE Cornell notes (2 copies) Chapters – DUE Tuesday, September 15 th – Due Cornell notes (2 copies) Chapters – DUE Tuesday, September 22 nd – Due Cornell notes (2 copies) Quizzes Format – Quotation identification – Vocabulary – Identification of author’s use of setting (IDs)

“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.”