D.

CONTENT:

1. Literary vs. Non-literary Language:

Definition and characteristics of literary language
Comparison with non-literary language
Examples and analysis of literary language in different genres (poetry, prose, drama)
https://www.educationindex.com/essay/Compare-and-Contrast-Literary-Text-and-Non-
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https://www.studymode.com/essays/Compare-And-Contrast-Literary-Text-And-879440.html
https://eightify.app/summary/mathematics/literary-vs-non-literary-texts-key-differences

Literary Language
Literary language is a form of expression that is characterized by its artistic and imaginative
qualities, often used in works of literature such as poetry, prose, and drama. It is distinguished
from non-literary language, which is more objective and informative in nature.

Characteristics of Literary Language

Aesthetic Purpose: Literary language is crafted to evoke emotions, create imagery, and convey
meaning in a way that appeals to the senses and intellect.
Figurative Language: It frequently employs metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech to
create deeper meanings and associations.
Sound and Rhythm: Literary language often uses sound devices like alliteration, assonance, and
rhyme to create musicality and enhance the reading experience.
Vocabulary: Literary language may use a more extensive and varied vocabulary, including
archaic or uncommon words, to create nuance and precision.
Structure: Literary texts often have unique structures, such as the use of stanzas in poetry or
the construction of scenes in drama, which contribute to their artistic effect.

Non-Literary Language
Non-literary language, on the other hand, is used in everyday communication and informative
texts. It is more direct, objective, and focused on conveying information efficiently. Examples of
non-literary texts include personal diaries, news articles, textbooks, and scientific reports.

Examples and Analysis in Different Genres

Poetry: Poems often use literary language to create vivid imagery and emotional resonance. For
example, in William Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," the lines "I wandered
lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o'er vales and hills" employ metaphor and imagery to
convey the speaker's solitude and the beauty of nature.
Prose: In prose, literary language can be found in novels, short stories, and essays. For instance,
in Charlotte Brontë's novel "Jane Eyre," the characterization of Mr. Rochester is richly
developed through literary language, as in the description of his eyes: "His eyes were dark,
rather than blue, and were fringed with heavy lashes; his brows were jetty and sable."
Drama: In plays, literary language is used to convey character, emotion, and action. For
example, in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the famous soliloquy "To be, or not to be"
employs literary language to express Hamlet's inner turmoil and contemplation of life and
death.

In summary, literary language is characterized by its artistic and imaginative qualities, while
non-literary language is more objective and informative. Literary language is used in poetry,
prose, and drama to create meaning, evoke emotions, and appeal to the senses and intellect.
Non-literary language, on the other hand, is used in everyday communication and informative
texts to convey information efficiently.

2. Formal Features and Conventions of Literature:

Structure: plot, setting, character development
Style: tone, diction, syntax
Narrative techniques: point of view, foreshadowing, flashback
Literary movements and their conventions (e.g., Romanticism, Modernism)

Understanding the formal features and conventions of literature involves examining various
aspects that contribute to the construction and interpretation of literary works. These elements
include structure, style, narrative techniques, and literary movements with their respective
conventions.

Structure
Plot: The sequence of events in a narrative, often following a pattern of exposition, rising
action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Setting: The time and place in which a story occurs, including physical and cultural
environments.
Character Development: The process of revealing and evolving characters' personalities,
motivations, and relationships throughout the narrative.

Style
Tone: The author's attitude towards the subject matter and the reader, which can range from
serious to humorous, ironic to sentimental.
Diction: The author's choice of words, which can reflect the social, cultural, or historical context
of the work.
Syntax: The arrangement of words and phrases in sentences, which can create specific effects
such as emphasis, rhythm, or clarity.

Narrative Techniques
Point of View: The perspective from which a story is told, such as first-person, third-person
limited, or third-person omniscient.
Foreshadowing: The use of hints or clues to suggest future events, creating suspense or
anticipation.
Flashback: The insertion of past events into the narrative, often used to reveal character
background or to provide context for the present story.

Literary Movements and Their Conventions

Romanticism (late 18th to early 19th century): Focus on emotion, individualism, and the beauty
of nature. Conventions include the use of the sublime, the supernatural, and the exploration of
the human psyche.
Realism (mid-19th century): A focus on depicting everyday life and society, often with a critical
eye. Conventions include detailed descriptions, social commentary, and the use of ordinary
characters.
Modernism (early to mid-20th century): A rejection of traditional forms and values,
emphasizing experimentation and innovation. Conventions include fragmented narratives,
stream of consciousness, and the use of symbolism.
Postmodernism (mid-20th century to present): A skeptical and self-referential approach to
literature, often challenging the boundaries between high and low culture. Conventions include
metafiction, pastiche, and the use of intertextuality.

These are just a few examples of literary movements and their conventions; there are many
more throughout history. Understanding these formal features and conventions can help
readers and writers appreciate and analyze literature more effectively.

3. Figures of Speech and Literary Techniques:

Figures of speech: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, etc.
Literary devices: symbolism, allegory, irony, satire, etc.
Examples and analysis of these techniques in literary works across different periods and
cultures
https://byjus.com/english/figures-of-speech/
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20of%20speech
https://writers.com/common-literary-devices
https://literaryterms.net/literary-device/

Figures of speech and literary devices are essential tools in the craft of literature, used to create
vivid imagery, convey complex ideas, and engage readers. A figure of speech is a deliberate and
creative use of language that deviates from its ordinary or literal meaning to create a specific
effect, emphasize, clarify, or embellish a statement. Figures of speech are categorized into
schemes and tropes, which are used to manipulate the structure and meaning of words,
respectively. A literary device is any technique or structure used by writers to enhance their
writing, convey meaning, and engage readers. Literary devices help guide readers in
interpreting the text and perceiving the world in new ways. They can be used to create vivid
imagery, convey complex ideas, and add depth to a narrative. Here are some examples and
analyses of these techniques across different periods and cultures:

Figures of Speech
Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as." In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Romeo
compares Juliet to the sun: "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east,
and Juliet is the sun."
Metaphor: A direct comparison without using "like" or "as." In Emily Dickinson's poem "I'm
Nobody! Who are you?", she writes, "I'm Nobody! Who are you? / Are you – Nobody – too?"
Here, "Nobody" is a metaphor for an ordinary person.
Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things. In the opening lines of John
Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale," the nightingale is personified: "Thou wast not born for death,
immortal Bird!"
Hyperbole: Exaggeration for effect. In Homer's "The Odyssey," Odysseus's men are turned into
pigs by the sorceress Circe, and they are described as "swine with human voices."

Literary Devices
Symbolism: Using objects or actions to represent abstract ideas or concepts. In Nathaniel
Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," the letter "A" is a symbol of adultery and shame.
Allegory: A story with a hidden or underlying meaning. George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is an
allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of the Soviet Union.
Irony: The contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between what happens and
what is expected. In Charles Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities," the opening line, "It was the best
of times, it was the worst of times," is an example of situational irony.
Satire: Using humor to criticize or expose human vices, follies, or shortcomings. In Jonathan
Swift's "A Modest Proposal," he satirizes the callousness of the British government towards the
Irish by suggesting that the Irish poor sell their children as food.
These techniques have been used across various periods and cultures, demonstrating their
enduring power to enrich literary works. For instance:
In the ancient Greek epic "The Iliad," Homer uses personification and metaphor to describe the
battlefield as "a field of slaughter" and "a field of blood."
In the Chinese classic "The Dream of the Red Chamber," the author Cao Xueqin uses symbolism
to represent the decline of the Qing dynasty through the fall of the Jia family.
In the African American novel "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison, the protagonist's invisibility is a
metaphor for the marginalization of African Americans in society.
These examples illustrate the versatility and impact of figures of speech and literary devices in
literature, transcending cultural and historical boundaries.