Literary Genres and Classification Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the largest category of literary works?

  • Class
  • Kind
  • Genre (correct)
  • Subgenre

The subgenre includes all types of literary works within a genre.

True (A)

What are the two main ways we categorize literary works?

Based on contextual factors and formal textual features.

A particular kind of autobiography is called a ________.

<p>memoir</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the literary terms with their definitions:

<p>Genre = A type of literary work characterized by a particular form, style, or purpose Subgenre = Smaller divisions within a genre Kind = Divisions within a subgenre Epistolary novel = A novel written as a series of letters</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a subgenre of fiction?

<p>Novella (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Literary classification terms are used rigorously and consistently.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Nineteenth-century literature is an example of categorization based on ________ factors.

<p>contextual</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a subgenre of narrative prose fiction?

<p>Epitaphs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All narrative texts rely equally on dialogue and narration.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key features uniting the various forms of prose fiction?

<p>Plot structure, point of view, characters and characterization, setting, theme, and style and tone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Poetry emphasizes the __________ and aesthetic qualities of language.

<p>nuances</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following narrative forms with their descriptions:

<p>Short story = A brief narrative focusing on a limited number of characters Novella = A narrative longer than a short story but shorter than a novel Novel = A complex narrative with a broad scope and many characters Anecdote = A short and interesting story about a real incident or person</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of poetry?

<p>Use of rhythm and sound (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Narrative texts can include elements of nonfiction, such as memoirs and biographies.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical length of a novella?

<p>About one hundred pages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following works is attributed to William Langland?

<p>Piers Plowman (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a significant work from the Middle English period.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one important model for the short story that emerged from Middle English literature.

<p>Canterbury Tales</p> Signup and view all the answers

The English Renaissance is also referred to as the early new __________ period.

<p>English</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following authors with their notable works:

<p>William Langland = Piers Plowman Geoffrey Chaucer = Canterbury Tales Edmund Spenser = Faerie Queen William Shakespeare = Modern Drama</p> Signup and view all the answers

What genre indirectly influenced the development of the novel in the eighteenth century?

<p>Romance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Puritan interregnum had no impact on English literary history.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which classical genres experienced a revival during the English Renaissance?

<p>Epic and Drama</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes women's and minority literatures from avant-garde works of postmodernism in the 1980s?

<p>Importance of sociopolitical messages (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Post-colonial literature has become less important compared to avant-garde literature since the 1980s.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one region whose literature is included in the category of Commonwealth literature?

<p>Caribbean, Africa, India, or Australia</p> Signup and view all the answers

Literature written by marginalized groups is commonly referred to as __________ literature.

<p>minority</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the literary movements with their characteristics:

<p>Postmodernism = Exaggerated narrative forms and structural playfulness Women’s literature = Focus on sociopolitical messages Post-colonial literature = Literature from former British colonies Modernism = Complex and abstract narrative techniques</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the trend in contemporary literature?

<p>Reinforcement of traditional narrative techniques (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A single classification system can fully encompass all literary works.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one of the factors that characterizes the approaches to literary texts.

<p>Divergent methodologies</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical school primarily focuses on the author's biography?

<p>Biographical criticism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text-oriented approach ignores the language and style of literary works.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of reader-oriented approaches in literary studies?

<p>The reception of texts by their audiences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

_________ theory seeks to connect literary texts with historical, social, or political developments.

<p>Contextual</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following literary theories with their corresponding descriptions:

<p>Formalism = Focus on the form and structure of texts Psychoanalytic criticism = Analyzes texts through the lens of psychology Feminist literary theory = Examines literature from feminist perspectives Post-colonialism = Studies literature in the context of colonial impact</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which criticism critically evaluates the impact of literature on its readers?

<p>Reception theory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Comprehension and interpretation are the same in literary studies.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one key aspect of New Criticism?

<p>It emphasizes the text itself rather than external factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical approach emphasizes the lived experience of human beings as the source of meaning?

<p>Phenomenology (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

New Criticism primarily looks for the reader's personal experience in a literary text.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the philosopher associated with the development of phenomenology?

<p>Edmund Husserl</p> Signup and view all the answers

Phenomenology seeks to bypass the problem of separation between subject and object by focusing on the __________ reality of objects.

<p>phenomenal</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following critical theories with their respective focus:

<p>New Criticism = Textual analysis and formal structures Phenomenology = Experience and reader response Structuralism = Underlying structures in language and culture Feminism = Gendered perspectives in literature</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a focus of New Criticism?

<p>Reader's emotional reaction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Reader-response criticism is a component of phenomenology.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The __________ of reception is another reader-oriented version of phenomenology.

<p>aesthetics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Biological Classification

A system of categorizing organisms based on shared characteristics, starting with broad categories like kingdom and narrowing down to species.

Literary Classification

The practice of grouping literary works based on shared features, such as form, style, subject matter, or historical context.

Genre

A broad category of literary works, encompassing fiction, poetry, and drama. It's the largest category in the classification of literature.

Subgenre

A smaller division within a larger genre, such as 'romance novel' within the genre 'fiction'.

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Kind

A specific type of literary work that falls within a subgenre, such as 'bildungsroman' within the subgenre 'novels'.

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Bildungsroman

A type of novel that focuses on the protagonist's growth and development, often from childhood to adulthood.

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Epistolary novel

A type of novel where the narrative is told through letters or journal entries.

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Memoir

A type of autobiography written in a more personal and informal style than a traditional biography.

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Narration

The act of telling a story, focusing on a sequence of events or actions. It's the core element of prose fiction.

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Short story

Stories that are concise, often focusing on a few characters and a single, pivotal event. They aim for a key insight by the end.

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Novel

Large-scale stories with complex plots and multiple characters. Their extensive length allows for detailed development and exploration.

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Novella

Stories that fall between short stories and novels in length and complexity. They delve deeper than short stories but have less scope than novels.

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Poetry

The art of using language in a beautiful and evocative way, emphasizing rhythm, flow, and imagery to convey meaning.

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Poetic Communication

The deliberate use of language in poetry, paying close attention to sound, meter, images, voice, and genre to create a specific impact.

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Nonfiction novel

A story that is creatively written about real events, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

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Prose Fiction

Prose fiction encompasses various forms, united by key features like plot, point of view, characters, setting, theme, style, and tone.

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Middle English Period

The period in English literature between the Norman conquest of 1066 and the late 14th century, marked by the transition from Old English to Middle English.

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Romance (Literary Genre)

A literary genre that focuses on tales of chivalry, romance, and adventure, often featuring supernatural elements and heroic characters.

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Narrative Cycle

A collection of stories, often interconnected, told by a group of characters over a period of time.

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Mystery and Miracle Plays

A type of medieval drama that focused on religious themes and often featured biblical stories or the lives of saints.

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Elizabethan Age

The period of English history and culture that coincided with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, marked by significant cultural and literary flourishing.

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Revival of Classical Genres

The revival of classical genres, such as epic poetry and drama, during the English Renaissance, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman literature.

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Puritan Interregnum

A period in English history when drama was prohibited and public theaters closed due to religious objections, significantly impacting the development of theatre.

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Romance (Literary Genre)

A type of prose fiction that often features elaborate language and fantastical elements. These works were popular during the English Renaissance.

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New Criticism

A literary movement emphasizing close reading and textual analysis, focusing on internal elements and formal features, aiming for objective understanding.

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Phenomenology

Aims to understand the lived experiences of individuals and their conscious perceptions of the world, emphasizing the subjective nature of reality.

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Reader-response criticism

A school of literary criticism that examines the reader's active role in constructing meaning through interaction with the text, considering how readers fill gaps and interpret ambiguities.

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Aesthetics of reception

A branch of phenomenological criticism focusing on the reader's experience within a text, analyzing how they move through it, make connections, and create interpretations.

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Women's and Minority Literatures

Literary works written by marginalized groups, including women, LGBTQ+, and ethnic minorities.

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Postmodernism

A literary style emphasizing experimental forms, challenging traditional narrative structures and embracing subjectivity.

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Literary Criticism

The study and interpretation of literary works using various theoretical frameworks and approaches.

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Modernism

A literary movement focused on the exploration of the human psyche, often employing stream-of-consciousness and subjective narration.

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Postcolonial Literature

A vast body of literature produced in former British colonies, often reflecting themes of colonialism, identity, and cultural clash.

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Traditional Narrative Techniques

The use of traditional narrative techniques and structures, prioritizing a clear and engaging story.

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Content

The content or subject matter of a literary work, exploring themes, issues, and societal contexts.

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Academic Playfulness

A literary style that prioritizes experimental forms and structures, often at the expense of clear storytelling and easy comprehension.

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Literary Interpretation

Examines the process of interpreting literary works, highlighting the complexity and subjectivity involved.

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Author-oriented Criticism

Focuses on the author's life and experiences as a way to understand their work.

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Reception Theory

Examines the reception and impact of literary works on audiences throughout history.

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Contextual Approach

Places literary works within their historical, social, and political contexts.

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Formalism

Studies the form and structure of literary works, focusing on elements like language, imagery, and narrative techniques.

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Comprehension vs. Interpretation

Confusing understanding the literal meaning of a text with interpreting its deeper meanings.

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Comprehension

Understanding the surface meaning of a text.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course title: Commentary of Literary Texts in English
  • Study guide unit: Approaching the Literary Texts in English
  • Academic year: 2024-2025
  • Degree: English Studies
  • Language: English
  • Coordinator: Adriana Kiczkowski
  • Co-ordinators: Isabel Castelao and Inés Ordiz

Unit 1: Approaching Literary Texts in English

  • Includes an introduction, discussion of what is literature, classifying literature, how to approach literary texts, critical theories and schools of criticism and resources.
  • Includes a section on Terry Eagleton's literary theory.
  • Also analyses literary genres, periods and literary movements.
  • Provides theoretical approaches to literature, comprehension versus interpretation.
  • Introduces different critical schools for literary analysis.

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