Литература (английская, американская). Дидактические упражнения.

Content

Chapter I. Biography…………………………………………………………………2

Chapter II . Literary genres...…………….…………………………………………..11

Chapter III. Exercises………………………………………………………………..14

Chapter IV. Exercises………………………………………………………………..22

Chapter I. Biography.

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936)

“I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble” – Rudyard Kipling

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English author, journalist and poet who wrote the famous fiction “The Jungle Book”. Born in the British India, Bombay, he worked in India with a much renowned newspaper The Pioneer, Allahabad before taking up writing as a profession. Best known for his works such as “The Jungle Book”, “Kim” and “Just So Stories” for Little Children, Kipling ranks among the greatest English novelists and authors and regarded as the leader of the art of the short stories. The author has written a number of stories including the famous “The Man Who Would Be King” and several poems and short stories and contributed greatly in the English literature during the 19th and 20th century. The author received the honorary Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1907 and became the first English writer and the youngest recipient to have received the award till this day.

Mark Twain (1835–1910)

“The man who doesn’t read has no advantage over the man who cannot read” - Mark Twain

Mark Twain (born Samuel Langhorne Clemens) was an American author, essayist, and humorist who wrote a series of famous books including “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Hailed as the "the father of American literature" by William Faulkner, Twain was known for not just his humorous writings and satire but also his radical views on imperialism, organized religion, and civil rights. He was a very popular figure and was friends with the presidents, prominent industrialists, and even the European royalty. Born into a humble family in Missouri, he endured a difficult childhood. The untimely death of his father in 1847 forced the 11 year old boy to take up a job to support his family. His early struggles instilled in him sympathy for the working class. As a young man, he was appointed as a river pilot's apprentice, eventually becoming a licensed river pilot. He began his writing career during the Civil War and the success of his story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” earned him national acclaim, paving the way for a successful writing career. As a popular author and a charming personality, he was also in great demand as a featured speaker. He based his fictional works "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" on his hometown.

Jane Austen (1775–1817)

“I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal” - Jane Austen

Jane Austen is possibly the most well known and widely referred female novelist on earth. Austen’s brilliantly created novels include “Sense and Sensibility”, “Pride and Prejudice”, “Mansfield Park” and “Emma". Austen was a great writer who ruled the writing world, considered to be man’s territory before she arrived. Jane’s involvement with the family and her family’s support for her writing career made her move forward and find a place in the history of English Literature and mankind in general. Jane found a new way of writing that was equally stylish and realistic. Jane found a great place among fellow writers and critics of her times. In her novels, Jane used various forms of literary styles. Jane’s writing has surpassed the barriers of time and has been accepted by modern day readers and literary circles for excellent comic elements. Jane Austen’s works have been beautifully portrayed through several films, theatre and television adaptations. Due to anonymity used in her writing, Jane got maximum honors and tributes after her death which have flown even to the present times.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

“Solitude sometimes is best society” - John Milton.

John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England. He was an influential man of letters and served under Oliver Cromwell. His works written during the time of religious flux and political upheaval in England show deep convictions and also deal with contemporary issues. Apart from writing in English, he wrote in Latin and Italian, and earned an international reputation during his lifetime. He is remembered for his epic poem “Paradise Lost”. He is generally considered as one of the preeminent writers in the English language and a thinker of world importance. His other important works included “Lycidas”, “Paradise Regained”, “Samson Agonistes” and popular political works like “Defensio pro Populo Anglicano” and “Defensio Secunda”.

William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become and still, gently allows you to grow” - William Shakespeare

Literature without Shakespeare is like an aquarium without fishes. Though it would have all the adoration and kinds, a look at it would tell you that it is lifeless and dead. The world’s greatest playwright and writer of English language, William Shakespeare has been conferred with the honour of being England’s national poet and “Bard of Avon”. An author of 38 plays and 154 sonnets, his work was much more appreciated by the world after his lifetime. Plays written by Shakespeare have been translated into ever major language of the world and have been performed extensively than those of any other playwright. Interestingly, such a power profile of a prolific writer went under the knife many a times after his death. Since there is no substantial information regarding the birth, life and death of Shakespeare, his education and his “supposed” literary connection, critics raised a controversy number of times as to whether or not he is the ‘real’ author behind the works, most of them believing that the work was written by someone else. Across his career, this literary genius has touched various genres of playwriting including comedy, romance, tragedy and history. A respected poet and playwright, it was only in the 19th century that Shakespeare’s reputation rose astronomically. While the Romantic considered him genius, the Victorians revered him. Even in the present 21st century, Shakespeare’s works are being studied and performed in various cultures. Without a doubt, he is the most prodigious and cherished contributor to the world of literature!

Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745)

“Books, the children of brain” - Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish poet, writer and cleric who gained reputation as a great political writer and an essayist. Jonathan, who became Dean of St. Patrick's in Dublin, is also known for his excellence in satire. His most remembered works include “Gulliver's Travels”, “A modest Proposal”, “An Argument against Abolishing Christianity” and “A Tale of a Tub”.

Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870)

One of the most widely read English authors of all time Charles Dickens is famous for his novels that touch upon the sensitive issues of poverty, child labour, and slavery. During a time, when depravity and oppression were the norms of English society, this talented writer had the courage to voice his opinions against these conditions. Gathering inspiration from his childhood experiences of poverty and insecurity, his novels are usually semi-autobiographical. This author was gifted with a powerful memory, and most of the characters in his novels are based on people he met and got acquainted with. This includes his own parents, who were the models for characters Mr. and Mrs. Micawber in the famous novel “David Copperfield”. The characters created by this novelist are popular because of their idiosyncrasies and quirky names. Some of his popular novels are “Oliver Twist”, “A Christmas Caro”', and “Hard Times”, amongst many more. Though known for his social commentary on the prevalent conditions in England, the literary works of novelist gained popularity amongst readers, editors and publishers alike. His books have seen more than 200 adaptations for the big screen, including “The Pickwick Papers”, a silent movie made in the early 20th century.

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900)

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” - Oscar Wilde 

Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde, better known as Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet, author and one of the most successful playwrights of the Victorian Era. Many of his plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Salome are translated in to foreign languages and are adopted into films and poems written by him made their presence in the list of bestsellers of his time and still continue to be read worldwide. The most celebrated novelist and author of his time, Oscar Wilde was appreciated by and acquainted with many influential artists of the day including English author John Ruskin, American poet Walt Whitman and George Bernard Shaw. Wilde witnessed an ill-fated downfall in 1885, when the author was arrested and imprisoned on account of his iniquitous homosexuality that made him leave his country for ever. He was also harshly criticized for his outspoken atheism and active role in atheistic movements in the country.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930)

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact” -Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle is the widely read Scottish author who created the legendary, world famous fictional character, “Sherlock Holmes”. He authored more than 60 “Sherlock Holmes” mystery stories, which captivated readers and transported them into a world of mystery. Some of his notable 'Sherlock Holmes' works include, “Stories of Sherlock Holmes”, “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, “The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes” and “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes”. He also authored many non-fiction books, works of fantasy, science-fiction and wrote poetry. He has also published many historical novels. He created another fictional character named, “Professor Challenger” and wrote a series of novels based on him. Born into a wealthy family in Edinburgh, Scotland, Doyle grew up listening to many enchanting tales narrated to him by his mother, Mary, a well read and masterful storyteller. He initially went to medical school and after he graduated he was briefly employed and later set up his own practice. Unfortunately, his medical career did not succeed and he began writing stories while he waited for patients, little knowing the fact that these stories would change his life forever.

Virginia Woolf was an English writer, author and novelist and a pioneer of modernism in English literature. Among her most famous work are novels “To the Lighthouse”, “Mrs. Dalloway” and “Orlando” and an essay “A Room of One's Own”. She was an important figure in the Victorian literary society and is regarded as one of the greatest modernist literary personality of the twentieth century. She became the innovator of the English literature with her experiment with the 'stream of consciousness' and broke the mold with her highly experimental language denouncing the traditional literary techniques. Her works allow for a deeper insight to the psychology of a character and its real thinking, though they are often criticized for its pretentious and elitist depiction of the characters. The author turned into a victim to a severe depression cluttering her life and mental stability and eventually leading her to commit suicide in 1941.

Agatha Christie (1890 – 1976)

“The impossible couldn’t have happened; therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances” - Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie, known as the “Queen of Crime”, was a renowned English writer who wrote over 66 detective novels. She is best known as the creator of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and village lady Miss Marple. She is credited for writing world’s longest running play “The Mousetrap”. Her first successful publication was “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” that introduced the character of Poirot. According to Index Translationum, her books have been translated into 103 different languages, and her works rank third rank after the works of William Shakespeare and the Bible, as the world’s most widely published books. Her novel “And Then There Were None” deserves special mention as her best-selling novel. Around 100 million copies of this novel have been sold till now. For her noteworthy contribution in the field of detective stories, she received several awards, such as, Grand Master Award and an Edgar Award. A number of films, television series, video games and comics have been made based on her stories. Her created character Poirot is the only fictional character for which The New York Times published an obituary, which is a clear indication of the character’s popularity.

Lewis Carroll (1898 – 1963)

“I can’t go back yesterday, because I was a different person then” - Lewis Carroll

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll, was an English author, mathematician and photographer, who authored the famous novel “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland” and its sequel “Through The Looking-Glass”. His writing has enchanted readers of every age and class; and his word play, logic and fantasy have overjoyed people ranging from children to the cream of the crop of the literary world. The great artist has influenced many others with his exemplary work in the modern art and culture.

Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish novelist, poet, and playwright. He introduced the genre of historical writing and is considered to be its greatest practitioner. Born in Edinburgh Scotland, Scott was the first modern English writer to have an international career, his works enjoying wide readership across Europe, North America and Australia. Professionally a legal administrator and advocate, he worked as a clerk in the Court of Session and Sheriff Deputy of Selkirkshire. However, despite having a career in law, he soon realized his true calling in writing. Scott made his foray into literary world as a poet, earning critical acclaim and popularity. He ventured forth and tried the less-explored genre of prose fiction, which was then considered inferior to poetry. His first novel, “Waverley” was widely appreciated and led to many more novels by him. What gave him the edge over other writers was his brilliant storytelling technique. Furthermore, his deep knowledge of Scottish history and society and his acute observation enabled him to rightfully depict the same in his writings.

Chapter II. Literary genres.

All books are either non-fiction or fiction. Non-fiction books contain factual information, such as biographies and history books. Fiction books contain a story which was made up by the author.

The most commonly read works are works of fiction. Fiction books are ones that have been made up. Perhaps some of their elements are based on hints of truth, but they have been elaborated, fabricated, and used to embellish into a new story.

Biographies are examples of nonfiction works. Most biographies are nonfiction, but not all nonfiction works are biographies by any means. We say "most" biographies, because a biography of a fictional character is really a fictional book.

1. GENRES OF LITERATURE: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry

2. Fiction: Fantasy, Historical, Mystery, Realistic Science, Adventure, Folktales

3. Non-Fiction: Biography, Autobiography, Essay, Encyclopedia

4. Poetry: Free, Verse

5.  FANTASY - a story that is imaginative, but could never really happen. The setting may be of another world. Characters might be magical.

6.  HISTORICAL FICTION - a story that takes place in a historically accurate time and setting. The characters and some events are fictional.

7.  MYSTERY - a story that usually involves suspense and the solving of a crime. Clues are typically given throughout the story to solve the mystery at the end of the book.

8.  REALISTIC FICTION - a story that seems real or could happen in real life. It is set in present day and includes modern day problems and events.

9.  SCIENCE FICTION - a story that is typically set in the future or on other planets. It is based on the impact of actual, imagined, or potential science.

10.  ADVENTURE - a story where a protagonist and other major characters and are placed in dangerous situations. The characters must use their wit and skills to defeat the antagonist.

11.  FABLE Folktale - a brief story that is meant to tell a lesson or a moral. The characters are usually animals with human characteristic.

12.  FAIRY TALE - a story that has magical elements. The characters are usually fairies, giants, elves, and other magical creatures.

13.  LEGEND - a story usually about a national or folk hero. This story takes place in a particular time and place and is partly true and partly fiction. The character traits of the hero are typically exaggerated.

15.  MYTH - a story that is often based on a historical event that is meant to serve as an explanation for some phenomenon of nature or human behavior. Characters are usually gods.

16.  LIST POEM - a poem that is based on a list or catalog of some sort.

18. POEM OF ADDRESS - a poem that is written to somebody or something. It is not about that person or thing.

17.  NARRATIVE POEM - a poem that is written from a different point of view. First person poems use the word “I”. It is personal because an individual is speaking to us. Second person poems use the word “you”. It is intimate because it is like speaking to someone in the room. Third person poems use words such as “he”, “she”, “it”, “they”, etc. It is like speaking to someone who is not there with you.

18.  BIOGRAPHY - a history of someone’s life, or part of someone’s life. This is a true story about a real person.

19.  AUTOBIOGRAPHY - a biography written by a person about his/her own life and history.

20.  ESSAY - a short composition, usually written from the author’s point of view. Essays can be persuasive, comparative, literary criticism, political manifestos, arguments, observations, recollections, or reflections.

21. ENCYCLOPEDIA - a comprehensive written work that is used as a reference. It contains articles on various topics and branches of knowledge.

22. Drama - writing that is meant to be acted on a stage (a play).

23. Comedy - a story that has a happy ending.

1. Tragedy - a story that ends in death and sadness.

Chapter III. Exercises.

Match the photo with the name

William Shakespeare

Jonathan Swift

Jane Austen

Charles Dickens

Oscar Wilde

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Virginia Woolf

Agatha Christie

Lewis Carroll

Walter Scott

Mark Twain

Match the author with his biography

Match the name of the author with the pen name

Read the proverbs about books and explain their meaning

Good books like good friends are few and chosen, the more select the more enjoyable

A great book is a great evil

A library is a repository of medicine for the mind

Books and friends should be few but good

A wise man without a book is like a workman with no tools.

Every age has its book

Teachers die, but books live on

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket

There is no thief worse than a bad book

Put the words in the correct order and read the quotations of famous people. Do you agree with them?

R.D. Cumming said: “book/A/ has/ ending/ no/ good”.

Logan Pearsall Smith said: “a thing/ People/ that/ say/ is/ life/ the/ I/ prefer/ reading/ but”.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg said: “borrowing/ means/ Reading”.

Edmund Burke said: “To/ without/ digesting/ eating/ reflecting/ is like/ without/ read”.

Heinrich Mann said: “without/A / books/ is like/ a/ windows/ room/ house/ without”.

Stephen King said: “unique/ Books/ magic/ are/ portable/ a”.

Joseph Joubert said: “is/ beautiful/ Nothing/ a/ more/ beautiful/ than/ book”.

Marcus Tullius Cicero said: “without/ A/ room/ soul/ like/ books/ a/ without/ is/ body/ a”. 
Ernest Hemingway said: “friend/ as/ There/ loyal/ is/ as/ a/ no/ book”. 

Match the type of genre with the description

Crossword

1. The classification for any story created by the imagination and, therefore, not based strictly on history or fact

2. The story of a person's life written or told by another person

3. Story about fairies or other magical creatures

4. Fiction about a crime, how the criminal gets caught, and the repercussions of the crime

5. Fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets

6. Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain and sometimes cause intended laughter

7. Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread and sometimes fear in both the characters and the reader

8. Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting

9. A funny story with a happy ending

Match each word in Column A with its meaning in Column B

Read the fragment. What type of genre is it (comedy, fairy tale, biography)?

The new employee stood before the paper shredder looking confused.
"Need some help?" a secretary asked.
"Yes," he replied. "How does this thing work?"
"Simple," she said, taking the fat report from his hand and feeding it into the shredder.
"Thanks, but where do the copies come out?"

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Samuel L. Clemens was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri. He wrote under the pen name Mark Twain and went on to author several novels, including two major classics of American literature: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He was also a riverboat pilot, journalist, lecturer, entrepreneur and inventor. Twain died on April 21, 1910, in Redding, Connecticut.

_________________________________________________

Once upon a time in a great castle, a Prince's daughter grew up happy and contented, in spite of a jealous stepmother. She was very pretty, with blue eyes and long black hair. Her skin was delicate and fair, and so she was called Snow White.

Chapter IV. Exercises

Warming-up activity

1. In one minute write as many words associated with “Literature” as you can

2. Continue the phrase: “Reading is important and interesting because…”

3. In one minute write as many adjectives to the word “Book” as you can

Answer the questions

What is your favourite book? Name the title, author and genre of this book.

What is the main idea of the story (poem, novel…).

Find the supporting points in the text.

Name five facts from this book that are the most interesting to you.

Name five adjectives describing the main hero (heroes).

Write the story elements of your favourite book

1. Setting

- Time

- Place

2. Characters

- Main character

- Other characters

3. Problem

4. Solution

5. Lesson

What types of books have you read? Fill in the table.

Compare the Movie with the Book. Fill in the table.

What do you prefer books or films? Why?

Write a report on your favourite book:

Title:

Author:

Type of the book:

Short summary:

What would you like to change about the book?

Interview your classmates to know what kinds of books they prefer. Make conclusions as follows: “The favourite genre in my class is…” and “The least favourite genre in my class is…”

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