World Studies- Literature
Final Exam Study Guide
Spring 2011
The development of your own study guide for this exam should be part of your process of preparation and study. Your own study guide will allow you to focus on your particular learning/studying style (flashcards, mnemonic devices, organization strategies etc). You should reread the selections in your literature book to refresh your memory. You should also go through and study all the notes that you have on the literature selections that we studied in class. The actual act of going through your notes, rereading the material and creating a study guide will help you to retain the information- BELIEVE ME. Of course, you should consult with classmates (or me) when you have questions about your own notes or to fill in gaps in your knowledge.
I will be available every afternoon until 3:15. If we set up a time to meet in advance, I am willing to meet with you later on most days.
WRITING:
Structure of paragraph
Structure of an essay
MLA Format
Parenthetical Citation
Terms: Grabber, Thesis, Clincher, Transitions
“Things to Avoid”
GRAMMAR:
Italics
Quotation Marks
Commas
Apostrophes
Pronouns (clarifying)
Identify parts of speech—noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, conjunction, interjection, verb
WEST AFRICAN LITERATURE
THINGS FALL APART
Plot/Setting
Characters: both major and minor (significant experiences)
Cultural Ceremonies
Themes
SOUTH AFRICAN LITERATURE:
Soweto Poems
How to analyze a poem
Significant experiences of poets
Themes
ANCIENT MIDDLE EASTERN LITERATURE:
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Plot/Setting
Characteristics of an Epic Hero
Sumerian Values
Epic (definition)
The Hebrew Bible
Background on the Hebrew Bible
“Noah and The Flood”
Plot
Venn Diagram comparing Gilgamesh & Noah
Themes
Genesis
Plot
Characters
The New Testament
Background on “The New Testament”
Parables: “The Prodigal Son” & “The Sower”
Themes
The Quran/Koran
Background on the Quran
Surahs
“The Exordium”
“The Cessation”
“Daylight”
Message/Speaker of each Surah
Themes
MODERN MIDDLE EASTERN LITERATURE:
The Kite Runner
Characters
Plot/Settings
Themes
ANCIENT INDIAN LITERATURE:
The Mahabarata
Background Notes (lecture)
The Bhagvad Gita
General Teachings
Characters
Plot
Values of Text/General Teachings
Hindu Epic Hero
CONTEMPORARY INDIAN LITERATURE:
“A Glory Has Departed”
Speaker
Audience
Theme/Message
“By Any Other Name”
Characters
Plot
Assimilation/”Dual Personality”
Effects of imperialism
LITERARY TERMS:
Epic
Plot
Setting
Rhyme Scheme
Stanza
Allusion
Irony
Theme
Foreshadowing
Antagonist
Protagonist
Characterization: Indirect vs. Direct
Flat Character
Round Character
Dynamic Character
Static Character
Simile
Metaphor
Extended Metaphor
Imagery
Personification
Flashback
Tone/Mood
Point of View
Allegory
Eulogy
Didactic verse
Autobiography
Repetition
Folklore
Protagonist
Antagonist
Theme
Tragedy
Tragic Hero
Tragic Flaw
Symbolism
Proverb
Pun
In media res
Cliché
Conflict
Moral
Paradox
Antithesis
Parallelism/parallel structure