Journalistic Text Explained

• Journalistic text reports current events and informs the public.

Characteristics of Journalistic Text:

• Factual and objective: It is accurate, unbiased, and supported by evidence.
• Clear and concise: It is written in simple language with a straightforward structure.
• Timely and relevant: It focuses on current events and issues.

Content Structure:

• Title/Headline: Captures attention.
• Author/Byline: Identifies the writer.
• Inverted Pyramid Structure:
• Lead: Most vital details (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How).
• Body: Additional details, context, and quotes.
• Tail: Background information (least crucial details).

Purposes of Journalistic Text:

• To inform: Provides straightforward information.
• To persuade: Changes perspectives.
• To entertain: Engages the audience.

Types of Journalistic Texts:

• News Reports: Factual, concise, and direct.
• Feature Articles: In-depth analysis of events.
• Editorials/Opinion: Expresses ideas and comments.
• Sports Writing: Game results, analysis, and key players.

Indian Literature: History and Language

• Earliest Literature (300 B.C.): Written in Sanskrit.
• Vedic Texts: "Vedas" (knowledge), sacred texts of Aryans.

Major Works:

• Rig Veda: Hymns dedicated to Aryan Gods.
• Mahabharata: Longest epic, cousin rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas over the throne of Hastinapur, Kurukshetra War, the Pandavas won with the help of Lord Krishna.
• Ramayana: Story of Prince Rama’s journey to save Sita, who was kidnapped by Ravana and aided by his brother Lakshmana and Hanuman (monkey warrior).
• Upanishads: Philosophical dialogues between teachers and students.
• Puranas: History of the Aryan race and Gods.

Evolution of Indian Literature:

• 400 B.C.: Sanskrit evolved into poetry and drama.
• Shastra: Manual of instruction and a book of knowledge and religious ideas.
• Shakuntala: Story of love and separation.
• Kalidasa: Renowned poet, wrote Shakuntala.
• Mahatma Gandhi: Leader of India, introduced Satyagraha (peaceful resistance).
• Rabindranath Tagore: Nobel Prize-winning poet and dramatist.

Jewish Literature: Origins

• Israel: Center of Jewish literature.
• The Holy Bible: Greatest literary work, divided into the Old Testament (history and teachings before Jesus Christ) and the New Testament (life and teachings of Jesus Christ).
• Only accepted the Old Testament as "bible".

Characteristics of Jewish Literature:

• Love of God: Central theme.
• Hymns of Praise: Devotion through songs.
• Emotional and passionate: Reflects true-life experiences.
• Love for Country and Culture: Preserves Jewish traditions.

Types of Jewish Literature:

• Lyric: Poetic songs about culture and devotion.
• Narrative: Biblical stories with Jewish themes.
• Drama: Stories about faith, struggles, and justice.

Psalms (Religious Poetry):

• Psalms of Praise: Gratitude and worship.
• Psalms of Trust: Comfort and encouragement.
• Psalms of Contrition: Sorrow and repentance.

The Story of Ruth

• Biblical story from the Book of Ruth (Old Testament).
• Themes: Faith, loyalty, and redemption.

Key Events:

• Elimelech and Naomi had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and moved from Judah to Moab due to famine.
• Mahlon and Chilion married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth.
• Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion died, leaving Naomi with her daughters-in-law.
• Naomi decided to return to Judah after the famine ended.
• She encouraged Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab and remarry; Orpah stayed, but Ruth refused.
• Ruth's famous words: "Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16)
• They arrived in Judah and Ruth worked in the fields of Boaz, Naomi’s relative, to gather leftover grains.
• Boaz admired Ruth’s hard work and loyalty, and Naomi advised Ruth to ask Boaz to be her Kinsman-Redeemer (a relative who marries the widow to continue the family line).
• Boaz agreed but had to settle legal matters first, as there was a closer relative who had the right to marry Ruth.
• The closer relative refused, allowing Boaz to marry Ruth.
• Ruth and Boaz married and had a son, Obed.
• Obed became the father of Jesse, the father of King David.
• Ruth became part of the genealogy leading to Jesus Christ, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.

Arabian Literature: Historical Background

• Pre-Islamic Era: Oral poetry focused on tribal pride and love.
• Arabian Empire: Flourished in literature, arts, and sciences due to the pursuit of knowledge.
• Caliphs: Arabian rulers supported literature and served as patrons of literature.

Characteristics of Arabian Literature:

• Themes: Love, morals, and religion.
• Figurative Language:
• Simile (Tashbih): “Her eyes are like pools of dark honey.”
• Metaphor (Isti’ara): “He is a lion in battle.”
• Personification (Tashkhis): “The desert whispers ancient secrets.”

Golden Age of Arabian Literature:

• Poetic Forms:
• Qasida: Odes.
• Ritha: Elegies.
• Ghazal: Love poetry.
• Adab: Ethical writing.
• Mythical Beings:
• Genii (Jinn): Spirits, both good and evil.
• Peris: Beautiful spirits of goodness.
• Ghouls: Flesh-eating creatures in graveyards.
• Religious Beliefs:
• Mohammedian Paradise: Ultimate reward.
• Houris: Beautiful maidens in paradise.
• Mohammedian Hell: Full of terror and suffering.

Arabian Nights (Folktales):

• Aladdin: Magical adventures.
• Sinbad: Voyages and adventures.

Elements of Literature

• Originates from the Latin term “Litera,” meaning letters or writing.

Types of Literature:

• Oral Literature: Passed down through word of mouth.
• Written Literature: Expressed through written forms.

Forms of Literature:

• Prose: Straightforward structure (novels, essays).
• Poetry: Rhythmic, artistic expression.

Elements of Literature:

• Plot: Sequence of events in a story.
• Exposition: Introduces setting and characters (Beginning).
• Rising Action: Develops conflicts, leading to the peak.
• Climax: Turning point, highest tension.
• Falling Action: Consequences of climax.
• Resolution (Denouement): Story conclusion.
• Characters:
• Protagonist: Main character (hero).
• Antagonist: Opposes the protagonist.
• Setting: Time and place.
• Theme: Underlying message or implied idea.
• Language: Word choice and literary devices.
• Point of View (POV):
• First-Person: “I,” “me,” “my.”
• Second-Person: “You.”
• Third-Person: “He,” “she,” “they.”
• Limited: Focuses on one character’s thoughts.
• Omniscient: Knows multiple characters’ thoughts.