What gives a novel literary merit?

A Definition of Literary Merit according to the College Board The work of literature: 1. Entertains the reader and is interesting to read. 2. Does not merely conform to the expectations of a single genre or formula. 3. Has been judged to have artistic quality by the literary community (teachers, students, librarians, critics, other writers, the reading public).

The work of literature: 4. Has stood the test of time in some way, regardless of the date of publication. 5. Shows thematic depth: The themes merit revisiting and study because they are complex and nuanced. 6. Demonstrates innovation in style, voice, structure, characterization, plot and/or description.

The work of literature: 7. May have a social, political or ideological impact on society during the lifetime of the author or afterward. 8. Does not fall into the traps of “pulp” fiction such as clichéd or derivative descriptions and plot devices, or sentimentality rather than “earned” emotion. 9. Is intended by the author to communicate in an artistic manner. 10. Is universal in its appeal (i.e., the themes and insights are not only accessible to one culture or time period).

The Literary Canon A list of literary works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality (Oxford). Originated in the late 1800’s as a collection to be used in college entrance exams to make a list that all would know. About 2/3 of the works listed on most AP Lit exams, come from the canon.

AP Literature Exam The nature of the beast

What manner of Beast? Length: 3 hours Structure: Two Sections Section I: Multiple Choice (55 questions), 1 hour Generally alternating prose and poetry passages, 10-13 questions each Section II: Three Essays, 2 hours One question on fiction passage and literary techniques One question on a poem and poetic techniques One question (free response) where students use a novel or drama to respond Percentage: Multiple Choice, 45%; Essays, 55%

Section :Multiple Choice The multiple choice questions are designed to assess your understanding of The meaning of the selection Your ability to draw inferences Your ability to see implications How a writer develops ideas Therefore, the questions will be factual, technical, analytical, and inferential.

Section II: essays I – Prose, Fiction, Literary techniques II – Poetry, poetic techniques III – Free Response choose a novel or play to respond

Prose Essay Some typical prose passage essays ask students to: Analyze narrative and literary techniques which reveal character (diction, syntax, point of view, imagery) Explain the effect of the passage on the reader Compare/contrast two passages for diction and details and their effect on the reader Analyze the attitude of the speaker or the author, using tone and style

Poetry Essay Some typical poetry essays ask students to: Analyze how the language of the poem reflects the speaker’s perceptions, and how, in turn that language determines the reader’s perceptions. Analyze how the poet reveals character (diction, sound devices, imagery, allusion) Discussion similarities and differences between two poems, considering style and theme

Cont. Contrast the speaker’s views toward a subject in two poems, referring to tone, form, and imagery. Discuss how poetic elements, such as language, structure, imagery, and point of view convey meaning Relate imagery, form, or theme of a particular section of a poem to another part of the same poem Analyze extended metaphor and how it reveals the poet’s or speaker’s attitude Discuss how form affects meaning

Free Response In this type of essay, you are free to choose the literary work you will use to respond to the prompt. (ONLY ONE and a full work, No movies!!!!!) This is not the time to promote a work that you believe is of literary merit. Your task is to convince the readers that you know how to read closely and critically, a work of literary merit. Stick with the classics or the canon or those works that you have been exposed to in your high school career.

Some typical free response essays will ask students to: Respond to a provocative question based on specific insights Demonstrate your insights, critical thinking, and writing ability Show awareness of character and comprehension of theme Transfer specific ideas and details to a universal concept

Cont. Reveal the relationships among form, content, style, structure, and their effects on the meaning of the work Reflect the writer’s ability to choose appropriate illustrations and connect them in a thoughtful way Compose a well-organized essay written in a mature voice and sophisticated style

Some Free Response Topics: How an opening scene or chapter establishes the character, conflict, or theme How minor characters are used to develop a major character How violence relates to character or theme How time is a major factor The use of contrasting settings

Cont. Parent/child or sibling relationships and their significance The analysis of a villain w/regard to meaning of work The use of an unrealistic character or element and its effect on work The conflict between passion and responsibility The conflict between character and society

Lets look at a few: 2014 Prose Prompt The following passage is from Charlotte Brontë’s novel Shirley (1849). In the passage, the narrator describes the age of eighteen as an important threshold. In a well-organized essay, analyze how Brontë uses literary techniques to characterize the phases of life her protagonist is leaving and entering.

2014 Poetry Prompt Carefully read the following poem by the poet and novelist John Updike. Then, using specific references to the poem’s language and techniques, write a well-organized essay analyzing how Updike conveys the complex relationship between the novelist and the characters in the novel.

2014 Free Response Prompt In many works of literature, relationships between siblings (brothers or sisters) create, clarify, or complicate central themes of the work. Choose a novel or play in which a sibling relationship—positive or negative—functions to deepen a central theme. Write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the sibling relationship contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. You may select a work from the list below or choose another novel or play of comparable literary merit.

2014 list for FR Essay Absalom, Absalom! East of Eden Pride and Prejudice All the King’s Men Fences A Raisin in the Sun Antigone The Glass Menagerie Sister of My Heart Arcadia The Grapes of Wrath Song of Solomon Beloved The Homecoming The Sound and the Fury The Blind Assassin Housekeeping The Story of Edgar Sawtelle The Bonesetter’s Daughter The Importance of Being Earnest A Thousand Acres Brideshead Revisited Just Above My Head Three Sisters The Brothers Karamazov King Lear Tom Jones The Catcher in the Rye The Kite Runner The Turn of the Screw The Comedy of Errors The Mill on the Floss Wuthering Heights Crime and Punishment The Piano Lesson A Yellow Raft in Blue Water Death of a Salesman The Poisonwood Bible