Annotations & Genres

Children's Lit LLS 443

Annotations & Genres

THEME

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.

It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.

Four ways in which an author can express themes are as follows:

1. Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes us feel.. By sharing feelings of the main character you also share the ideas that go through his mind.

2. Themes are presented in thoughts and conversations. Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to develop a story’s themes. The things a person says are much on their mind. Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

3. Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story. A good way to get at this theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?

4. The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions. One thing authors think about is what an action will "say". In other words, how will the action express an idea or theme?

The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a parable is its teaching. The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave.

In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself.

Alliteration
Repeated consonant or vowel sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.

This is a story that is full of Alliteration.

http://bdb.co.za/shackle/articles/pesky_pelican.htm

Realistic Fiction

Stories of contemporary times and characters with normal human powers, and are set in the real world make up Realistic Fiction. Realistic fiction contains characters who behave in ways that cause readers to say, “He or She acts just like I do.” Imaginative writers write stories about characters who could live next door to the reader, but who become interesting because the reader becomes involved in their cares and concerns.

Criteria for selecting titles in the realistic fiction collection begin with believability of characters, settings, and events. Readers must be able to accept the characters as real people and events as real places when reading realistic stories. Dialogue is sometimes more informal and conversational than other genre since it deals with contemporary times and people. In realistic stories, ordinary people behave and speak in ordinary ways.

Paterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabithia.
The life of a boy in rural Virginia expands when he befriends a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Shiloh.
When he finds a beagle in the hills near his home, Marty tries to hide it from his family and the dog's real owner, a mean-spirited man known to mistreat his dogs.

Bauer, Marion Dane On My Honor.
When his best friend drowns while they are both swimming in a treacherous river that they had promised never to go near, Joel is devastated and terrified at having to tell both sets of parents the terrible consequences of their disobedience.