what to expect from a college liturature course

by Vicenta O'Keefe 5 min read

Most literature classes you will take in college will involve very heavy reading. You’re in college, so the expectation is to be able to analyze more complicated subject matter. The unfortunate cause of this is five pages of homework that can take an hour to read.

This course asks students to work in several genres, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and/or drama. Class focuses on defining “good” writing and encouraging a process approach. Students will be asked to work through multiple drafts of work and participate in group editing sessions.

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What should I know before taking a literature class?

Oct 20, 2021 · Students taking a literature class learn literary analysis techniques and apply that to stories and other written content, with focus on elements such as plot, character development, conflict and resolution. Other topics students can expect to learn about are the figurative aspects, such as similes and metaphors.

What is expected of a teacher in a literature class?

Feb 18, 2015 · Most literature classes you will take in college will involve very heavy reading. You’re in college, so the expectation is to be able to analyze more complicated subject matter. The unfortunate cause of this is five pages of homework that can take an hour to read.

Are literature classes worth the effort?

Dec 07, 2015 · Literature classes are a requirement we all have to endure from elementary school up until we reach the college level. For some like me, literature classes have also been easier due to my love of reading. For others, it can be a source of dread to read about people that are long gone and don’t matter. But, literature classes are very much worth the investment and what a …

How can I succeed in my literature class?

As you’d expect, an English literature degree will have a strong focus on canonical and classic literature, meaning one book a week is a pretty average schedule for a single module. Bear in mind however that you will be enrolled on an average of four modules at any one time – not only is passion for literature a must, but also an ability to read fairly quickly.

What do you expect from a college literature class?

Many students say that discussing literature in class provides one of the best learning experiences in their college careers. The activities in a literature class—reading, writing, discussing, thinking critically about texts and ideas—prepare students for the work world and for life.

Is literature in college hard?

Most literature classes you will take in college will involve very heavy reading. You're in college, so the expectation is to be able to analyze more complicated subject matter. The unfortunate cause of this is five pages of homework that can take an hour to read.Feb 18, 2015

What do you learn in literature?

Through literature, we develop emotional connections with characters and a shared community. We witness unparalleled kindness and terror. And though these experiences, we start to learn about ourselves and others. Reading the right passage can feel like the author knows us better than we know ourselves.

What do literature classes do?

In literature class, by contrast, students do the reading at home and come to class to discuss it. The teacher does give presentations, the length and substance of which will vary. Class discussion may focus closely on certain passages or relate different passages to each other and to the whole.Aug 12, 2013

Why is literature so difficult?

Most of the difficulties arise from the fact that literature generally differs from everyday speech, which is aimed at conveying information as quickly as possible. This difference may surprise, confuse, and even irritate the reader.Sep 23, 2020

What are the benefits of studying literature?

Five Reasons to Study LiteratureLiterature improves communication skills. The easiest way to improve vocabulary, writing, and speaking skills is to study literature. ... Literature teaches you about yourself. ... Literature teaches about the past. ... Literature cultivates wisdom and a worldview. ... Literature entertains.

How do you study literature in college?

Exam Preparation: How to prepare for the Literature examRead and re-read your texts. ... Learn quotations. ... Read around your text. ... Talk your ideas through. ... Go back over your own work. ... Study style – select and scrutinise significant/striking/special sections. ... Get to know VCAA a little better. ... Write sample paragraphs.More items...•Oct 15, 2018

What are the values of literature?

Why it is important Students need to understand that texts may be valued for different reasons: their aesthetic value; the significance of their message; their historical value, the ways in which they innovate with technology or the way in which they exemplify important aspects of or movements in literature.

What does literature teach us about ourselves?

When students analyze literature, they learn to identify cause and effect and are applying critical thinking skills. Without realizing it, they examine the characters psychologically or sociologically. They identify the characters' motivations for their actions and see through those actions to any ulterior motives.Jan 30, 2020

What is college literature?

College Literature is dedicated to publishing innovative scholarly research across the range of periods, intellectual fields, and geographical locations that comprise the changing discipline of Anglophone and comparative literary studies.

How do you pass a literature class?

As soon as you find out what you need to read, either buy or borrow the textbooks (you can find great deals on used textbooks on the Internet) and start reading. Don't read just in class - read in your spare time too. If possible, dedicate 30 minutes every day to reading your class books or poems.Feb 2, 2018

Is literature class worth it?

For others, it can be a source of dread to read about people that are long gone and don’t matter. But, literature classes are very much worth the ...

What is the history of photography?

The history of photography is the recount of inventions, scientific discoveries and technical improvements that allowed human beings to capture an image on a photosensitive surface for the first time, using light and certain chemical elements that react with it. Lily Liam. 13 April.

What are the skills required to become an English teacher?

Common skills gained from an English degree include: 1 Ability to critique and analyze a broad range of materials 2 Ability to communicate ideas and theories 3 Awareness of different theoretical schools and approaches to literary criticism 4 Leading and participating in discussions 5 Ability to work within a team to develop and present ideas 6 Excellent written communication skills 7 Correct use of academic citations and referencing 8 Ability to develop independent understanding of texts, concepts and theories 9 Academic research skills 10 Ability to work to independently 11 Time management and organization skills 12 Creative skills 13 Essay planning and writing skills 14 Basic IT skills 15 Knowledge of how language and literature has evolved and trends that have emerged through time

Why is it important to study English literature?

The study of English literature and language will aim to stretch your independent thought and analytical skills. For this reason, lecturers will not spoon-feed you information but rather expect you to develop your understanding by reading assigned critical theory and journals along with the key texts.

What is the purpose of an English degree?

The aim is to get students thinking creatively and analytically about the English language; this differs from other modern language degrees as it is intended for students already proficient in written and spoken English. An English degree can focus equally on the literature and language sides, while others specialize in one or the other;

Is linguistics a degree?

Linguistics. Although linguistics is also offered as a dedicated degree subject, an English degree also offer some linguistics modules. This will involve a deeper look into the way language works and its origins, within a more scientific framework than that commonly used in an English language and literature degree.

What is postcolonial literature?

Postcolonial literature. The study of postcolonial literature means focusing in on issues of particular relevance to postcolonial writing, such as the construction of national narratives through history, identity and gender, diaspora, and the various debates surrounding postcolonial discourse in academia.

Is linguistics a social science?

Linguistics is also multidisciplinary and often calls upon the social sciences, allowing students to study language within the contexts of sociology and psychology. In some cases, students may also have the chance to study original or translated texts in other languages. Postcolonial literature.

What are the skills required to be a good communicator?

Ability to work within a team to develop and present ideas. Excellent written communication skills. Correct use of academic citations and referencing. Ability to develop independent understanding of texts, concepts and theories. Academic research skills.

Do college English exams have multiple choice questions?

Many college English exams do not contain typical multiple-choice or true-false questions. Rather, you may be asked specific questions on class reading assignments and be required to answer those question in essay form. For example, you may be asked to compare and contrast scenes and characters from a book or even analyze the psychology of certain authors, providing specific evidence from the class readings in your answers. Conversely, some English instructors may not even assign exams at all during the semester, but instead expect students to complete a final essay project, typically between 10 and 15 pages.

Why do you revise a paper?

According to the University of Washington, revising your paper will improve not only your writing skills, but your reading and analytical skills as well . A college English course will teach you the necessary rules for revising papers, which include learning to evaluate your arguments, knowing how to identify whether the evidence appropriately supports your claims and understanding whether the paper answers all the questions the reader might have about your topic.

What is close reading in college?

Close reading involves dissecting and interpreting specific details or excerpts from a text.

How to develop an argument?

To develop an argument, you will be expected to focus on a narrow topic for your paper. For instance, if you choose to write an analysis of a particular character, you will need to write a single claim or accusation about that character (for example, Nelly Dean is not a trustworthy narrator in "Wuthering Heights").

What is college writing?

Writing. College writing assignments delve beyond summarizing or simply interpreting what you have read in a text. In fact, according to the University of Chicago, the fundamental part of writing assignments in a college English course is based on arguments. To develop an argument, you will be expected to focus on a narrow topic for your paper.

Who is Esther Lombardi?

Esther Lombardi, M.A., is a journalist who has covered books and literature for over twenty years. Listening, reading, and being prepared for your class can make a dramatic difference in how you understand the books, poetry, and stories for your class.

What to do if you can't concentrate on the assignment?

If you can't concentrate on the assignment, read the selection out loud.

What is COE in Florida?

The desired future of the College of Education (COE) at Florida International University is one in which candidates, faculty, and staff embrace the shared experiences of a diverse, international, professional learning community.

What is the definition of standards?

1. Knowledge of the interrelatedness of local, global, international and intercultural issues, trends and systems through the use of children’s literature that addresses global issues.

What are the barriers to taking online courses?

One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily.

What is a book file?

A book file is an effective way to maintain record of what you have read. The best way to become familiar with children’s literature is to read a variety of books in various genres, style and sound. Each book file should include the information below.

How many lessons are there in the Penn State literature course?

This course consists of fifteen lessons, each involving required readings and a reading quiz. During the course, students will be required to write six formal essays (three long and three short), choosing from prompts provided with the lessons. In addition, students will establish a course blog using the Blogs@Penn State platform and write at least four informal blog entries in response to prompts. The goal of the blog space will be to establish a learning community where students share their personal responses to literature, respond to each others’ writing and comments, and pass along useful resources related to American literature.

What is ENGL 232W?

ENGL 232W is a survey course of American literature from the end of the American Civil War (1865) to the present. This course is designed to provide students with the following: * An awareness of the emergence and growth of a uniquely American literature. * A general familiarity with some of American literature’s most significant writers ...