ENGL 4: Introduction to 21st Century Literature

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes an autobiography?

It is the life story of someone else.

It is a poem that expresses emotions.

It is a day-to-day account of personal activities.

It is a life story written by the subject. (correct)

Which of the following is an example of narrative poetry?

Epic (correct)

Sonnet

Haiku

Elegy

What is the main purpose of dramatic poetry?

To engage the reader with character dialogue and dramatic techniques. (correct)

To explore a subject through personal reflections.

To describe natural events in poetic form.

To provide an emotional narrative from a single speaker.

Which of the following best defines a diary?

A day-to-day account of a person’s activities and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes lyric poetry from other forms of poetry?

It is focused on expressing emotions and has a musical quality. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a fable from other types of narratives?

It features animal characters that embody human traits and convey morals. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of narrative is specifically focused on the origin of events or phenomena?

Legend Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a parable in literature?

To illustrate moral or spiritual lessons through human characters. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes a fairytale?

It narrates adventures of benevolent or wicked supernatural beings. Signup and view all the answers

What type of character is a protagonist?

The character that the story primarily revolves around. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'literature' primarily refer to?

Writing formed with letters and oral or sung texts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of literature?

It is only focused on fictional works Signup and view all the answers

What type of prose includes stories like 'Cinderella'?

Fairytale Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fiction is characterized by the presence of magic or supernatural powers?

Fantasy Signup and view all the answers

What defines historical fiction?

A mix of fiction with historical facts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following stories is an example of a fable?

The Turtle and the Rabbit Signup and view all the answers

What genre best describes the tale of 'Dead Stars' by Paz Marquez Benitez?

Short story Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic does NOT typically belong to traditional literature?

Based on personal experiences of the author Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following forms of poetry is characterized by expressing grief, sadness, or loss?

Elegy Signup and view all the answers

What type of drama features exaggerated emotions and stereotypical characters?

Melodrama Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a narrative poem told in an elevated style, centered on a heroic figure?

Epic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a sonnet?

It consists of 14 lines. Signup and view all the answers

Which figure of speech is exemplified by saying 'I've told you a million times'?

Hyperbole Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drama is known for a serious tone, often concluding with disaster?

Tragedy Signup and view all the answers

What defines a ballad in the context of narrative poetry?

It's set to music and usually about popular subjects. Signup and view all the answers

In literary terms, how does irony function?

It signifies the opposite of what is meant. Signup and view all the answers

Which poetic form is characterized by the poet's musings on a subject or person?

Ode Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples best illustrates alliteration?

Sally sells sea shells by the seashore. Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech makes a comparison using 'like' or 'as'?

Simile Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is an example of an understatement?

Winning five Olympic gold medals isn't a bad record. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the figure of speech where a word sounds like what it represents.

Onomatopoeia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a paradox?

This is the beginning of the end. Signup and view all the answers

What is characterized by giving human traits to inanimate objects?

Personification Signup and view all the answers

Which figure of speech employs contradictory terms to create a striking effect?

Oxymoron Signup and view all the answers

What is a pun?

A play on words that relies on multiple meanings. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a euphemism?

My mother passed away. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is an example of onomatopoeia?

The snake goes 'hiss'. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase indicates the use of an oxymoron?

Open secret Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Literature

Derived from Latin "litaritura," meaning "writing formed with letters," encompassing both written and oral traditions.
Captures human experiences through universality and style, presenting feelings, moods, attitudes, and thoughts.

Genres of Literature

Prose: Written in ordinary language, typically structured in sentences or paragraphs without rhythmic patterns.
Fiction: Includes various sub-genres like fables, myths, legends, parables, folktales, fairy tales, novels, novelettes, and short stories.

Types of Fiction

Realistic Fiction: Stories with believable events that could occur in real life, set in contemporary settings.
Historical Fiction: Combines fictional narrative with historical facts, often featuring real historical characters.
Fantasy: Features improbable events, magic, or supernatural elements, frequently set in imaginary worlds.
Traditional Literature: Passed down through generations, includes fables, fairy tales, myths, and folktales.

Key Terms in Fiction

Fable: Short tales with morals, often featuring animals.
Legend: Stories explaining the origin of phenomena or events.
Myth: Narratives centered around gods or superhuman entities, serving as cultural truths.
Parable: Short stories illustrating moral lessons related to human existence.
Folktale: Narratives reflecting the traditions of specific cultures through superstitions and customs.
Fairy Tale: Features magical beings and often concludes with positive resolutions.
Short Story: Brief narratives focusing on specific incidents with few characters.
Novel: Extended narratives detailing character-driven plots, divided into chapters.
Novelette: A narrative longer than a short story but shorter than a full novel.

Elements of a Story

Characters: Include major (protagonist and antagonist) and minor characters (static, dynamic, flat, round).
Setting: The time and place of the story.
Plot: The sequence of events and actions within the narrative.
Conflict: The central struggle between opposing forces.
Point of View: The perspective through which the story is told.
Theme: The underlying message or insight of the story.

Nonfiction Terms

Autobiography: A person’s life story written by themselves.
Biography: Life story of an individual written by another.
Diary: Daily records of personal experiences or events.
News: Reporting of current events in various media formats.
Essay: A brief prose composition exploring a specific topic or viewpoint.
True Stories: Accounts based on actual events and people.

Poetry

Defined as compositions in verse with rhythmic sound patterns and imagery.
Types of Poetry:
- Narrative Poetry: Tells a full story through forms like ballads and epics.
- Dramatic Poetry: Connects readers to broader emotions using characters and dialogues.
- Lyric Poetry: Expresses personal emotions or thoughts, often musical in quality.

Key Terms in Poetry

Ballad: Narrative form often set to music focusing on popular themes.
Epic: Long narrative poem about heroic figures and significant themes.
Metrical Romance: Lengthy narrative poem dealing with love and adventures.
Ode: Lyric poetry expressing emotions, usually directed at a subject.
Elegy: A mournful poem expressing grief or loss.
Song: Verses meant to be sung.
Sonnet: A 14-line poem exploring a complete thought, typically in iambic pentameter.

Drama

Encompasses narratives told through dialogue and action, designed for theatrical presentations.
Types of Drama:
- Tragedy: Serious plays where characters face misfortune due to events or personal flaws.
- Melodrama: Drama characterized by exaggerated emotions and simple narratives.
- Comedy: Light-hearted plays generally concluding happily.

Figures of Speech

Enhance language through expressive devices, including:
- Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds.
- Hyperbole: Exaggerated statements.
- Irony: Meaning expressed through contradiction.
- Metaphor: Direct comparison between dissimilar things.
- Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as."
- Understatement: Minimizing importance for effect.
- Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds.
- Paradox: Contradictory statements that may reveal truth.
- Personification: Attributing human qualities to non-human entities.
- Pun: Wordplay for humorous effects.
- Oxymoron: Juxtaposition of contradictory terms.
- Euphemism: Mild expressions to soften harsh realities.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of 21st-century literature, focusing on its definition and significance. It delves into how literature encapsulates human experiences through various literary texts. Ideal for students in ENGL 4 who want to deepen their understanding of contemporary literary themes.