Analyzing Literature Vocabulary List

If you are considering taking the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP test at the conclusion of this course, I suggest that you try taking a pre-test. If you can get at least 50 percent of the answers correct, you have a good chance of passing the CLEP, with only a little extra study. If your score is very low, you will need to study a lot, but a passing score is still possible with hard work. Remember, if you would like to transfer CLEP credit to a college, check with the college that you are interested to see what their policy is before you take the test. Get their policy in writing (for example, what score is requirered, what tests are accepted, what credit is given.) Either way, your time will be well-spent, as you improve your ability to read and understand quality literature.

Literary Terms--Tools we all should know:
Primary World
Secondary World
Plot
Characters
Theme
Point of View
Tone
Symbolism
Allusion
Style
Protagonist
Antagonist
Anti-hero
Major Character
Minor Character
Dynamic Character
Static Character
Flat Character
Round Character
in medias res
Flash back
Setting
Epiphany
Exposition
Rising action
Crisis
Resolution
Denouement
First person point of view
Stream-of-consciousness
Monolgue
Narrator
Naive Narrator
Third Person Narrator
Third Person Objective Narrator
Third Person Omniscient Narrator
Unreliable Narrator
Allegory

Study tips: I suggest that you don't simply print out this list as written. I listed the vocabulary words at random. I didn't do this just to be evil (really!); I hope that as you are looking up the definitions, you will think about ways to group similar concepts. Think of these words as a jigsaw puzzle--group similar types of pieces together, and you will solve the puzzle of the word meanings more quickly. For instance, protagonist and antagonist should be defined together under the topic of characters. What other terms should go under your 'Character" topic?

Similarly, if you outline the plot of a story, you can link the exposition, rising action, crisis, and finally the denouement and resolution. Look for unusual ways to remember your vocabulary. Try making up a scrolling screensaver, drawing a picture to illustrate topical terms, or making a "mind map" instead of a linear outline. Look for ways to link old vocabulary that you are familiar with to new vocabulary that you already know, and you will find it must easier to learn. Let me know if this isn't making sense, and I'll try and clarify.
Literary terms are the tools we use to analyze and interpret literature. They also prove indispensable to writers. Write the meanings of each vocabulary word
in two sentences or less, using your own words; cite literary work example if possible. You must have a firm grasp of the vocabulary of any subject in order
to do well on any credit by examination test.

Extra Credit (we'll give you a virtual pat on the back)

For those who want to delve deeper into worldview studies (caution--philosophy ahead!), try a few quotes from "Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept," by James W. Sire. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Pick one or all. Cite examples from literature ("Pilgrim's Progress," "The Magician's Nephew," or other classics) and the Bible to illustrate your position.

"If all language is simply a power play , then so is the language by which Foucault explains language...Nihilism, however, does not stop intellectuals from writing, only from making sense." (page 40)

"Robert Redfield lists the self (divided into I and me) and the other,(divided into human and nonhuman). The human is further divided into young and old, male and female, us and them; the non-human is divided into God and nature. Finally, what Redfield calls "everyman's worldview" includes space and time, birth and death. My guess is that there are many more of the pretheoretical concepts to include, for example, meaning, oughtness, identity and contradiction." (page 78)

"In short, the pretheoretical consists of those notions and recognitions of relationships between notions that precede any thought at all. The pretheoretical is what we think with, not what we think about." (page 79)

In two weeks we will discuss the importance of the literary Term Vocabulary List, and elaborate on any terms that need further definition or explanation. We will finish up discussion and questions regarding worldview in The MagicianÂ’s Nephew, and begin to study the worldview of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. We will share information on How to Write an Essay: Discussion of Title, Introductory Paragraph, Opening Sentences, Paragraph Development, Transitional Sentences, Topic Sentences, Concluding Paragraphs.

In the meantime, I love meeting together, but I'd also appreciate more online feedback. We could all use the encouragement and it is interesting to read what you think.