A Brief Guide to the Novel
Published on 4. March 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-0-321-08165-0 (ISBN)
Description
A Brief Guide to the Novel guides developmental reading students step-by-step through mastering a novel or nonfiction narrative. A Brief Guide to the Novel is the first text available in the new Longman Literature for College Readers Series.
The guide introduces key terms such as character, plot, setting, and cultural contexts. Part 1 includes 8 brief chapters introducing key concepts in reading novels and non-fiction narratives. Part 2 includes 10 discussion guides for novels and nonfiction narratives commonly taught in developmental reading and writing courses such Steinbeck's The Pearl and McBride's The Color of Water. (Most of these novels are available through the Penguin Program.)
The guide introduces key terms such as character, plot, setting, and cultural contexts. Part 1 includes 8 brief chapters introducing key concepts in reading novels and non-fiction narratives. Part 2 includes 10 discussion guides for novels and nonfiction narratives commonly taught in developmental reading and writing courses such Steinbeck's The Pearl and McBride's The Color of Water. (Most of these novels are available through the Penguin Program.)
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Content
I. OVERVIEW OF THE NOVEL.
1. Getting Started: Why Readers Read Novels.
Reading for Enjoyment.
Novels and Nonfiction Narratives Based on Historic Events.
The Immigrant Experience.
Genres of the Novel.
Reading for Ideas.
First Clue-Language and Dialect.
Second Clue-Chronology.
Third Clue-Nature as a Symbol.
2. Breaking It Down: Steps for Reading a Novel.
Getting Ready: Previewing a Novel.
In Process: What to Emphasize.
Realistic Novels.
Romantic Novels.
Postmodern Novels.
Reading and Responding to the Novel: Getting Involved.
Full Circle: Tips for Completing the Novel.
3. Parts of the Whole: Structure and Elements of a Novel.
Structure: The Bare Bones.
Introduction.
Plot.
Conflict.
Conclusion and Resolution.
Contributing Elements: Adding to the Story.
Theme.
Narrator and Point of View.
Characters and Names.
Dialogue.
Symbolism, Imagery, and Metaphor.
4. Cultural Contexts: Struggling With Identity.
Race.
Ethnicity.
Religion.
Social Class.
Gender.
Sexual Orientation.
5. Re-creating History: Nonfiction Narratives and Historical Novels.
Nonfiction Narratives.
Historical Novels.
6. Writing as a Process: Developing Your Own Writing Process.
Questions to Ask about Your Writing Process.
Why?
What?
How?
Where?
Invention.
Brainstorming.
Mapping.
Freewriting.
Keeping a Reading Journal.
Moving from Invention to Essay.
Identifying Important Ideas.
Outlines.
Drafting and Revising.
Editing and Proofreading.
7. What is an Essay? A Brief Review.
Thesis Statements.
Topic Sentences.
Paragraphs.
Writing the Introduction.
Writing the Body.
Writing the Conclusion.
8. Writing about Novels: What to Keep in Mind.
Understanding Writing Prompts.
Developing Ideas for Your Essay.
Searching for Ideas.
Deciding on a Topic.
Using the Novel as Your Primary Source.
Summary.
Quotation.
Paraphrase.
A Word about Creative Writing.
II. DISCUSSION GUIDES.
(Each Reading contains the sections: About the Book, Author Biography, Bibliography of Other Works, Useful Websites, Study Questions, and Writing Prompts.)
Dorothy Allison, Bastard Out of Carolina.
Willa Cather, O Pioneers!
Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street.
Frederick Douglass, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
Gish Jen, Typical American.
James McBride, The Color of Water.
Tim O'Brien, The Things They Carried.
John Steinbeck, The Pearl.
Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Elie Wiesel, Night.
Glossary.
Index.
1. Getting Started: Why Readers Read Novels.
Reading for Enjoyment.
Novels and Nonfiction Narratives Based on Historic Events.
The Immigrant Experience.
Genres of the Novel.
Reading for Ideas.
First Clue-Language and Dialect.
Second Clue-Chronology.
Third Clue-Nature as a Symbol.
2. Breaking It Down: Steps for Reading a Novel.
Getting Ready: Previewing a Novel.
In Process: What to Emphasize.
Realistic Novels.
Romantic Novels.
Postmodern Novels.
Reading and Responding to the Novel: Getting Involved.
Full Circle: Tips for Completing the Novel.
3. Parts of the Whole: Structure and Elements of a Novel.
Structure: The Bare Bones.
Introduction.
Plot.
Conflict.
Conclusion and Resolution.
Contributing Elements: Adding to the Story.
Theme.
Narrator and Point of View.
Characters and Names.
Dialogue.
Symbolism, Imagery, and Metaphor.
4. Cultural Contexts: Struggling With Identity.
Race.
Ethnicity.
Religion.
Social Class.
Gender.
Sexual Orientation.
5. Re-creating History: Nonfiction Narratives and Historical Novels.
Nonfiction Narratives.
Historical Novels.
6. Writing as a Process: Developing Your Own Writing Process.
Questions to Ask about Your Writing Process.
Why?
What?
How?
Where?
Invention.
Brainstorming.
Mapping.
Freewriting.
Keeping a Reading Journal.
Moving from Invention to Essay.
Identifying Important Ideas.
Outlines.
Drafting and Revising.
Editing and Proofreading.
7. What is an Essay? A Brief Review.
Thesis Statements.
Topic Sentences.
Paragraphs.
Writing the Introduction.
Writing the Body.
Writing the Conclusion.
8. Writing about Novels: What to Keep in Mind.
Understanding Writing Prompts.
Developing Ideas for Your Essay.
Searching for Ideas.
Deciding on a Topic.
Using the Novel as Your Primary Source.
Summary.
Quotation.
Paraphrase.
A Word about Creative Writing.
II. DISCUSSION GUIDES.
(Each Reading contains the sections: About the Book, Author Biography, Bibliography of Other Works, Useful Websites, Study Questions, and Writing Prompts.)
Dorothy Allison, Bastard Out of Carolina.
Willa Cather, O Pioneers!
Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street.
Frederick Douglass, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
Gish Jen, Typical American.
James McBride, The Color of Water.
Tim O'Brien, The Things They Carried.
John Steinbeck, The Pearl.
Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Elie Wiesel, Night.
Glossary.
Index.