Introduction to Poetry and Prose English 10F Ms. Aguilar

A. Why did humans start writing? Origin of humans (Bible) Origins of objects around us Moral lessons and storytelling Keep records Explain events Instructions

B. Prose B. Poetry Uses straightforward language Ideas are arranged in paragraphs and are in complete sentences. Follows grammar conventions (rules) Clarify the meaning to the readers. Writing follows a rhythm and rhyme Ideas are arranged in stanzas and may not be in sentences. Allowed to break grammar conventions. Let the readers decipher the meaning.

B. Prose vs. Poetry You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself Any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go. You have brains that you must use to think what is best for yourself. You have feet in your shoes that can take you to whichever paths you choose for yourself. You are the only person in charge in making decisions for yourself because no one knows what is best for you other than yourself. You must decide where you want to go in life.

C. Kinds of Prose Short Story – prose narrative with word limit. Novel – prose narrative with a larger word limit. Essay – Writing/defending about a particular topic. Fable – a short story that has a moral lesson in the end. Often uses animals as main characters. Tale – a story telling device that attempts to explain supernatural events.

D. Classifications: Fiction or Non-Fiction? Fiction - refers to a piece of writing that is purely imagined by the writer. Non-Fiction – refers to a piece of writing that is based on real life events and topics. - News, biographies or essays are often non-fiction.

E. Literary Device Help readers analyze and interpret a literary work. Add effects to the story (PLOT TWIST!!) Poetry and Prose both use literary device. Also known as: narrative device, literary terms, elements of story etc. It is called elements of story when used in stories. E.g. Plot, Theme, Setting, Characters

F. Literary Device: Motif vs. Theme - an idea or a symbol that repeats throughout the text to highlight the theme. E.g. In Tolkien’s The Hobbit, The Motif of the story is Bilbo longing to be back in The Shire. - Message of the text as interpreted by the reader. The theme of the story is that no matter how far you go, there is no place like home.

F. Literary Device: Motif vs. Theme - Concrete = present in the text Abstract = the readers are required to find, analyze and prove that the theme exists in the story.