Friday 31 May 2013
OCCUPATIO
Occupatio is a rhetorical device in classical and medieval literature whereby the narrator states that he/she will not tell the reader/listener something. This has the effect of shortening the story but there is a false yet skilful usage when the teller says the detail will not be related and then proceeds to give it as in: "I will not describe what they ate at the feast, the plump fowl, the succulent venison, the steaming puddings ...." Whilst the listener is reassured he will not be bored, he is absorbing the full account and the device is important in oral narrative.
Saturday 18 May 2013
METER and METRE
Both these words are concerned with measuring.
A meter is the object that counts how much gas or electricity etc you have used.
Metre is the method of making sure that each line of a formal poem is the right length and rhythm. To help you to remember the spelling, think of the term metrical poetry.
A meter is the object that counts how much gas or electricity etc you have used.
Metre is the method of making sure that each line of a formal poem is the right length and rhythm. To help you to remember the spelling, think of the term metrical poetry.
Saturday 4 May 2013
ANALYSING A POEM
You may be asked to analyse ("appreciate" or "criticise" mean the same) an unseen poem out of context.
Here are some aspects you could comment on:
1) Topic and theme: the topic is the obvious subject (a vase of flowers) and the theme is the more abstract idea conveyed by it (the transience of life).
2) Speaker and audience: is there an evident personality or persona writing the poem and/or a specific audience?
3) Imagery: use of metaphor, simile and symbol
4) Verse form: sonnet and blank verse are the main types you should recognise. If not, note the rhyme scheme and rhythm.
5) Diction/lexis/vocabulary: notice any contrasts such as colour, the prevalence of a part of speech such as verbs, repetition, conversation, clusters of words with similar references, use of several monosyllables and overall register, whether formal or colloquial.
6) Sound effects: alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia
7) Tone (irony etc) and mood (emotional atmosphere).
Always relate your findings to the local or total effect
A useful book defining technical terms is: The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms by Chris Baldick
Many are explained elsewhere on this blog.
Here are some aspects you could comment on:
1) Topic and theme: the topic is the obvious subject (a vase of flowers) and the theme is the more abstract idea conveyed by it (the transience of life).
2) Speaker and audience: is there an evident personality or persona writing the poem and/or a specific audience?
3) Imagery: use of metaphor, simile and symbol
4) Verse form: sonnet and blank verse are the main types you should recognise. If not, note the rhyme scheme and rhythm.
5) Diction/lexis/vocabulary: notice any contrasts such as colour, the prevalence of a part of speech such as verbs, repetition, conversation, clusters of words with similar references, use of several monosyllables and overall register, whether formal or colloquial.
6) Sound effects: alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia
7) Tone (irony etc) and mood (emotional atmosphere).
Always relate your findings to the local or total effect
A useful book defining technical terms is: The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms by Chris Baldick
Many are explained elsewhere on this blog.
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