Formalism & Structuralism
3 Important Things I've Learned: Steps for Language Analysis, The Structure of Language, Reading Analytically
Steps for Language Analysis: While being really simple, the steps for language analysis really helped me to understand how I'm supposed to read something. While reading, I usually read all the way through without really thinking about what the words or sentences mean. This video really helped me layout a simple yet really helpful technique to analyze each and every story that I read. You have to identify mood and tone and highlight any words or phrases that you think correspond to that tone or mood. While reading, you should take notes in the margins to help you remember your thoughts while reading and to help you remember how the words/phrases affect the tone and mood.
The Structure of Language: While reading a story, I often don't pay attention to language as much as I do style and literary techniques. When asked in person what I think that "language of the story" means, or what it even is, I'm usually at a loss for words. This video really helped me learn the different parts of language in a story. The number one thing you have to remember is that all language is built upon structure. There are the words and sounds that build upon the grammar. Another thing that the video suggests is the fact that we are often unaware that structure even exists in what we are saying. That made me really pay attention to the structure in every thing I say now.
Reading Analytically: To me, annotating has always been something that you just do while reading to respond to the text. It was a way to keep all of your thoughts on paper. In all honesty, I never really liked annotating when I first tried it. Now, it sort of comes naturally to me. It's something that I just do without thinking. I find it very helpful to keep my thoughts organized and to pinpoint things I want to remember in case I have to write an essay or something and I forget what I was going to say. I learned that annotating is more than just writing silly notes on what you're thinking while reading. It's a way to force yourself to ask questions and respond to the text on a deeper level of thinking.
2 Questions I Still Have: Four Components of Literature, Allusion
Four Components of Literature: So, while reading I noticed that the author of this article sort of laid out the characteristics that a piece of literature is supposed to have. It sort of confused me, though, because I began thinking "Well, what exactly does make up a piece of literature?" "If I write a story, and don't include all these components, is my story not a true work of literature?". This part of the packet really got me questioning what literature truly is and what it looks like.
Allusion: Allusion is something I've always had trouble wrapping my head around. I've always confused Allusion and Illusion. I know what illusion is because I've seen many tricks involving it. Allusion, however, is something that I just can't seem to grasp. I get that author's use allusions in referencing other works in a text, I just can't seem to understand how you would identify it. I can't understand how you would create it either.
1 Skill I Could Teach: Denotation Vs. Connotation
Denotation Vs. Connotation: Denotation is what a word/phrase/picture literally means. Connotation is what a word/phrase/picture implies. I found this really easy for me to understand. I really liked the analogy's the author used in the video because it made it really obvious as to what denotation and connotation really mean. I do think that if I were to teach someone this concept, I would have a pretty good sense of what to say.
