How to Analyse Prose Literature: Short Course

Identifying and analysing the basic principles of (prose) literature so you can analyse novels effectively.

Prose literature is made up of a number of elements. To begin to unravel how an author writes, why it creates meaning and how this affects a reader we must begin to understand ‘what are the principles that underly prose literature?’

— Course Content —

In this course we will go through the 4 Basic Principles of Literature. This a deliberately short course packed with information so you can ask affective questions to help you analyse prose (novels and stories).

We will cover a lot of theory over these videos and I have made these videos as if you were in class with me. I have assumed that my audience are students studying literature with books they will apply this theory to - this is why there are no specific example videos. Examples are integrated into the theory videos themselves.

In the videos we will explore:

• What is literature? What are the different types of literature?

• What are the basic principles of literature and why study them?

• The Basic Principles: Theme, Plot, Characterisation, Style

• Definitions

• How you can identify characteristics of these principles in literature

• Revision tips for your unseen prose exam and comparative literature component

  
  

— Who is this course for? —

• GCSE English Literature students

• AS/A Level English Literature students

• IB Literature students

• Anyone who would like to gain a deeper understanding of prose literature.

The principles you will learn on this course can be used to write more analytical essays both for course work and in exams; comparative literature, analysis of classic literature and unseen prose extracts. The theory you will learn is meant to compliment your English Lit course and provide you with simple explanations and how to think about literary analysis.