Recall one of the literary terms you have already encountered in a lecture, or chose a new one from the glossaries provided in the content link.
Write a paragraph that argues that this specific device was “THE” crucial literary element (NOT “A” or “ONE” crucial literary element) to understanding a theme (related to crime, punishment and justice) in the Lord Jim. You need to demonstrate the difference between kinds of form like dialogue or paradox, and kinds of themes like, or related to, crime, punishment and justice.This could be the start of a thesis for an essay.
Next, make sure you quote from the text, including the page numbers. Remember to focus on the Lord Jim for this discussion.
Next, back up your argument and quotation with a brief explanation. Why do you think the device you chose is crucial to the theme you chose? (You need all three of these elements for 0.5 marks)
Last, respond to at least one other post from a classmate, and include a second quotation as you either agree or disagree with that classmate. (0.5 marks)
Remember – the point of the assignment is to pick “THE” most important device and argue for that. Think of it this way:
1. Poor: Dickinson uses personification – fact (weak argument, or actually, not an argument)
2. Weak: “ONE” or “A” crucial (or “driving,” or “of most important,” etc.) element Dickinson uses is personification (stronger, but maybe could be better)? This means there are many crucial elements, and you picked one. You want to say that you’ve thought a lot about it, and that there is one that stands out.
3. Strong: “THE” crucial (or “driving,” or “of most important,” etc.l element is personification – strongest argument without being exclusive — usually the BEST!
4. Poor: Personification is the ONLY important element – here, the case is overstated (easy to disprove since this is an exclusive argument) so number 3 is still best.
To put in simple terms you choose a literary element you feel really carried a specific theme in the book and explain why and quote where you found that the literary term really excelled!
A Short List of Literary Terms
allegory
alliteration
allusion
ambiguity
author
canon
character
comedy
dialogue
diction
drama
enjambment
fiction
foreshadowing
figurative language
form
genre
image
irony
line
lyric poem
literature
metaphor
meter
metrical foot
motif
narrative
narrator
novel
persona (lyric persona)
plot
point of view
poem
prose
protagonist
rhetoric
rhyme
rhyme scheme
rhythm
scansion
setting
short story
simile
soliloquy
stanza
symbol
theme
tone
tragedy
verse
