English
English
LITERATURE
English Literature​
Students in English Literature read books, analyze theories, among various other activities. The main point of English Literature is to have the ability to understand the deep meaning and complexity of texts.
​
There are four types of English Literature: poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and plays. Besides the general literature genres, there are also a wide variety of subgenres. The most common subgenres are mystery, fantasy, horror, romance, historical fiction, science fiction (also known as sci-fi), folklore, fairy tales, and many more.
​
In poetry, students create verses which are used to invoke feeling and emotion in texts which are also used to stir the reader's imagination with rhythmic metaphors. Poetry prioritizes the structure, rhythm, sound, and figurative language; as well as language, emotional impact, and distinction from prose. Poetry structures can vary, with some that require strict formats while others could be freeformed. Poetry that require strict formatting are usually sonnets, villanelles, haikus, and sestinas.
-
Sonnets require 14 lines, iambic pentameter, and specific rhyme schemes; Shakespearean plays utilize the structure of sonnets
-
Villanelle requires 19 lines, with stanzas being five tercets followed by one quatrains. They also require refrains: the first and third lines of the initial tercet alternate as the last line of subsequent tercets.
-
Haiku is a short Japanese poem that consists of 3 lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. It is traditionally focused on nature and seasons with the purpose of evoking imagery related to the natural world. Haiku is known for its directness and conciseness, being able to convey powerful messages within just few lines.
-
Sestina is a complex format which require 39 lines. Stanza 1 requires 6 lines each, and stanzas 2-6 use the same 6 end words in a specific, repeating order. The concluding stanza is the final 3 lines where all of the six end words appear, with three at the ends and the other three within the lines.
Fiction, Nonfiction, Plays
-
In Fiction, students explore human experience using their imagination and analytical skills to let them learn to create and visualize imagery. Fiction prioritizes having a style of writing, characters and character development, diving into the complexities of human behaviour, and overall themes of a novel. Students also analyze different pieces of fiction to determine their purpose and messages within.
-
In Nonfiction, students learn to express, present, and study real & authentic information. They will also write various paragraphs and essays on those information as a form to show their understanding. Nonfiction presents useful facts on topics such as nature, history, and current issues; it also includes compelling stories of real people to create a vivid and immersing imagery for the reader.
-
In drama, students aim to improve the skills of expressing by acting. It focuses on performances on stage through dialogue, scripts, and stage directions. Play literature is often categorized into various types. Some of the major drama types are comedy, which typically draw on humour and engagement; tragedy which sequences tragic events with typically an unhappy ending. Famous examples of plays are Shakespearean plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth.
Timeline of English Literature
​
Anglo-Saxon Period
Old English literature includes diverse works such as the epic Beowulf, one of the earliest influential English literature.
Middle English Period
Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, French influence shaped Middle English literature. Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and William Langland's Piers Plowman are key works of the period.
Elizabethan Era
The late 16th century saw a flowering of the Renaissance in England, which has been spreading in Europe. William Shakespeare's plays and the King James Bible marked this golden age.
17th and 18th Centuries
Religious and political conflicts influenced poetry, such as works from John Donne and John Milton. The dichotomy of Classicism and Romanticism dominated the 18th century, featuring writers like Alexander Pope, William Blake, and Jane Austen.
19th and 20th Centuries
English literature addressed social concerns, with regional influences from writers like the Brontë sisters and Charles Dickens. The 20th century saw writers such as Virginia Woolf, T.S. Eliot, and Salman Rushdie.
Big Ideas:
The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
People understand text differently depending on their world views and perspectives.
Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
First Peoples texts and stories provide insight into key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future.
Language shapes ideas and influences others.
​Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
Gallery
