Techniques for Portraying Message in Literature
In module one, you will learn the different techniques writers use to portray the message of their writing. Reading literature requires commitment, dedication, and a little detective work. With the right tools, tricks, and clues, you'll be able to derive meaning from even the most complex literary fiction. The beauty of literature is that it is often ambiguous, and as long as you have the evidence to back up your interpretation, you can't be wrong.
The Value of Shared Experiences in Literature
Humans are born to share and overshare. However, the mediums we use, such as social media, only show a piece of us, a portion of the truth. Imagine a social media app that is all about the truth, with no filters, hashtags, or likes, just honest glimpses of our everyday selves. This would look a lot like literature. Writing to share the human experience is significant because it reflects the everyday human experience, making us feel vulnerable, sad, and unsure of the world around us. Literature shows moments we've all lived in some capacity and reveals multiple themes.
Commercial Fiction vs. Literary Fiction
Chances are, you've seen a popular movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's exciting but predictable, similar to commercial fiction. On the other hand, literary fiction focuses more on plot and less on special effects. It is significant because it reflects the everyday human experience, making us feel vulnerable, sad, and unsure of the world around us. It shows moments we've all lived in some capacity and reveals multiple themes.
Finding Fiction Everywhere
There's nothing wrong with loving a commercial page-turner that's a simple escape from everyday reality. In fact, some works of commercial fiction can carry deep literary meanings based on our interpretations. But it's important to understand the value in a literary life-changer, as these works remind us that we're not so small in this great big world. They assure us that our problems are not unique or strange, and oftentimes provide us with comfort or answers.
Defining Style
What is style? According to the dictionary, it's the manner in which we do something. The term applies to fashion, decorating, the arts, and more. Like art, the meaning of literary fiction is created by a reader's interpretation. Style plays a big part in the way we interpret what we read. Moby Dick is a great example of literary fiction, where the author's stylistic choices paint a picture of the narrator and create a distinct voice.
Style is the way in which the writer uses techniques for effect, like an artist uses brushstrokes. It is distinct from meaning but can be used to make the author's message clearer and more engaging. The way you tell a story matters as much as the story itself.
