CLASS: SENIOR THREE
COURSE CONTENTS
UNIT I: REVIEW OF KEY ASPECTS OF PROSE
UNIT II: PLOT DEVELOPMENT
UNIT III: TONE, ATMOSPHERE AND PURPOSE
UNIT IV: TYPES OF POETRY AND POEMS
UNIT V: POETIC DEVICES
UNIT VI: CONTEXT AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT
UNIT VII: CHARACTER, SUBJECT MATTER AND THEMES
UNIT VIII: STYLE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE.
……………………………………………………………..
UNIT III: TONE, ATMOSPHERE AND PURPOSE
III.1. REVIEW OF LITERARY TECHNIQUES
Literary techniques are specific language techniques which writers use to create texts that are clear, interesting, and memorable. Authors use different literary techniques and their choice sets the tone, mood and the purpose of the text.
Flashback: It is the interruption of the normal flow of events to the events that happened earlier. It is a literary technique which interrupts the present action by inserting an event/ episode that happened earlier.
Foreshadowing: It is the use of clues to alert the reader about the events that will occur in the future (later). It is used to build suspense.
Flash-forward: It is a sudden jump forward in time. It is also an insertion of a later event into the chronological structure of a novel, play, …
Allegory: It is a symbolic fiction story. It is also the representation of abstract principles by characters or figures.
Alliteration: It is a repetition of initial consonant sounds. It refers to the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
Hyperbole: It is an exaggeration that is used to evoke strong feelings.
Imagery is referred to the creation of mental images of scenes by using descriptive words.
Paradox is a phrase that describes an idea made by concepts that conflict.
Satire is referred to the use of humour, irony or exaggeration to criticize.
Metaphor: It is a comparison that doesn’t use ‘like’, ‘as’ or ‘than’.
Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to a non-living object or an animal. For more, see literary devices.
III.2. TONE
It is the attitude or feelings of a writer towards the subject matter or the audience. It is the manner of writing about the subject, characters and theme by careful choice of words. This choice of words creates tone.
Tone may be described as being sentimental, approving, appreciative, sad, comic, abusive, mocking, condescending, sarcastic, critical, happy, romantic, sorrowful, lamenting, ridiculous, serious, sympathetic, bitter, melancholic among others.
Types of tone
a. Formal tone: It is the tone which is factual and objective. The words are written as you would find in textbooks and academic writing.
b. Informal tone: It is the casual/occasional/irregular/accidental tone. It is characterized by the use of slang, pidgin, proverbs, contracted words, …
c. Comic tone involves the use of a funny or humorous voice in a literary text.
d. Sad tone: This involves the use of words that trigger feelings of sadness in the reader.
III.3. ATMOSPHERE/MOOD
Atmosphere refers to the emotions invoked/applied in the readers as he/she reads a piece of writing. It is also the feeling, emotion or mood a writer conveys to a reader through the description of setting and objects.
The feeling could be sad, afraid, happy, amused, critical, humorous, tense, cynical, pessimistic, hostile, loving, hopeless, anxious, …
Types of atmosphere/mood
a. Gloomy mood: It is an atmosphere of sorrow and anger within a text.
b. Happy mood is an atmosphere of joy within a text.
c. Tense mood is an atmosphere that creates anxiety or that shows signs of stress.
III.4. PURPOSE
Purpose refers to the reasons/motive that make the author write a fictional work. It is the objective of a writer while writing a piece of work.
The purpose may be categorized as:
a. To inform: The author aims to give facts or information about something
b. To explain: The author may write to explain the reason why things are the way they are providing details or facts.
c. To entertain: The author aims to provide with amusement or enjoyment.
For more, see tone, atmosphere, purpose or key aspects of prose.
Leave a comment