UNIT 5 - Novels
STATEMENT OF INQUIRY - How do authors link the elements of a novel to achieve a specific purpose ?
For this unit, I think that we are going to focus on what and how elements in a novel allow the author to bring about intended themes or messages. I already am aware of the key elements of a plot, such as the exposition, rising/falling action, climax and finally resolution, although I've not really made connections to why the novel is written in the way it is present and to what extent does these elements help me create a better understanding of its intended purpose. Furthermore, conflict is often utilised to allow characters, more specifically the main protagonist, to develop or change in the result of this tension but I've noticed that this occurs subtly and can be observed in changes in behaviour or actions in response to events in the set environment. Aside this, being that the unit focuses on novels being beyond the 'sum of the parts', I think we will elaborate on becoming more familiar with viewing the novel more wholesomely and identifying a variation of literary techniques that may give different interpretations to its audience (providing examples from our respective novels and identifying which are present). For the assessments there is a group presentation and a commentary that follows later on. I'm not sure what format the group presentation will be on and what explanations will demonstrated to answer the statement of inquiry, although it will most likely require multiple readings of the novel for evidence of these techniques being used. After this, I will probably be more comfortable with forming links to elements in an unseen extract, making clearer justifications and personalising understandings of what is being read.