Story analysis

1. State the type of the story:

E.g. The story (under the title) “…” (written) by … is:

A) a story with an entertaining plot and a series of quickly moving events;

B) a humorous story written with the sole purpose of making the reader laugh;

C) a story of characters presenting vivid portraits of human beings either in everyday or in unusual circumstances;

D) s psychological story making a study of human characters and of deeply-lying motives of human behaviour;

E) a one-character story giving a portrait of one person, usually with the view of creating a generalized, socially significant type;

F) a social satire presenting certain aspects of life and human behaviour in the light of bitter, relentless ridicule, etc.

2. State the theme and the problem subject (idea) of the story.

3. Give the gist of the story.

· The gist consists of 10 sentences maximum. They can be simple, complicated simple and complex sentences (with not more than two subordinate clauses); compound sentences should be avoided.

· The gist renders very briefly the sequence of the events in the present tense forms and neutral style. It should not contain: descriptive details, quotations from the text, stylistically coloured words and the reader’s personal attitude.

· The structure of the gist roughly corresponds with the plot structure:

a) a sentence (or two) serves as introduction and names the main character, (if possible) briefs on his/her social status, reputation, family background, political/religious creed, interests and hobby, etc.;

b) a few sentences give the account of complications;

c) a sentence is devoted to the climax;

d) a sentence (or two) reveals the denouement.

4. State the type of narration: the first person narration

the third person } description

anonymous exposition

A) If it is a narration, one should specify the time and the place of the described events;

B) If it is a description, one should name the place or the character(s) and say how it is / they are described;

C) If it an exposition, one should say what kind of instructions are given: defining/ comparing/ contrasting/ analyzing/ classifying, etc.

5. State the type of composition according to its structure (level/ retrospective/ circular/ frame) and give your reasoning.

6. State the type of plot structure (closed/ open), providing explanation of your opinion.

7. Speak on the role of the setting and tone.

8. Say in what way the narration, etc. is opened, and whether such an opening has any advantages. What effect is achieved?

9. Give the gist of the story by going through each element of the plot structure and trying to express the content of each part in one sentence.

10. Comment on the style and the language of the story (i.e. what EMs and SDs are used to achieve the author’s purport):

A) prevailing EMs and SDs;

B) rare or unusual EMs and SDs;

C) peculiarities (e.g. a dialogue inside a monologue or vice versa; style, rhythm, composition, etc. changes).

11. Say whether the title is suggestive.

12. Speak on the author’s purport and try to formulate the message.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-23