10 Effective Tips for Studying Literature
If you want to study literature, then you must be able to think about its relevance. Forget about the objectives, which your professor will discuss during your first meeting. A classic novel won't be called one without discussing its so-called benefits.
There are countless adaptations to films, TV, and theater, which can save you time. You forgot that reading these novels will expose you to the old English language (or archaic form). It can help you expand your vocabulary, also improve your writing style. (You might fancy a paragraph or two, paraphrase it and add your own thought. It's not a mash-up, but it might result in a perspective that your professor hasn't read before.) If you can't afford to travel (yet), then reading will take you to a particular period, and how the condition would influence the current events. It can help you become a perceptive reader, such that you'll be able to compare the character's thoughts (or feelings) to your own. Lastly, reading these books will prompt you to think critically. This is a frequent exercise among English major students, which should be a breeze one year afterward. Students have a varying learning curve, and you might not be a fast learner. It's not a reason for having a panic attack.
The reading list will include a set of classics that have been read and studied for generations. These are the widely-read titles, if not beloved novels. It created an impact, such that there would be a following. (It's also a part of popular culture.) You'll become aware of empathy, which is more relevant in the modern era. There are ten effective ways to study literature, which can be divided into two parts.
The first part comprises the following: New idea(s) that will interest your professor; the essence of creative writing; what reading is really all about; getting to know the author's background; and comparing the universal themes (of the book) to pressing themes from recent time. The second part is rather chronological in nature, as it will show how you must do it week after week (or day after day if your prefer it).
5 Golden Rules in Reading and Writing
Writing isn't a solitary pursuit. There must be a connection between you and your essay. It's an assignment, a requirement that you do again and again (and again). Your professor wants to know your thoughts (or sentiments) about the book, and it doesn't make a difference if you like it or not. In other words, you don't summarize the story. You also don't rephrase another writer's opinion on the storyline (or character development). If you're uncertain of your arguments, then put it in a question.
Don't ever fixed your point of view on the character. If you have read enough fictional works, then you must be aware of a striking pattern among novelists. They pick a particular object and then use it to reveal their ideas. It's not your task to determine if it's subtle or not, as this is an attempt to detach from the reality of the story. (After all, fiction writing requires imagination.) The sea, for instance, has different representations after reading "Moby Dick", "The Old Man and the Sea", and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". This one requires a bit of practice in the beginning, and it doesn't guarantee that you'll do it with ease after a few months (or a year). You'll become more aware of the little details, which most readers won't notice on their first reading.
It's the journey that matters most. Reading a book in its entirety will give you immense satisfaction, as you can brag about the story (to your envious friends) if Hollywood will do a big-screen adaptation of it. You haven't understood everything that is written in the book, and it's not surprising at all. Your professor will ask you to read a short list of books, where you won't recall everything that is printed there. You'll be asked to write a prose after you have read a number of books. You must have a good grasp of storytelling, if not personal narrative ideas, which enables you to write your assignment. (Your own book may come later.) The ideas you learned (from previous books) will come into play, and it can be a rewarding experience.
Learn about the author's background. It doesn't necessarily mean looking at the prologue of the book (before reading the novel). It's a point of view of another writer, and your opinion matters more to your professor. You don't have to think too hard, as you only need to jot down certain ideas on your note pad. Look at it when you must come up with your main idea.
You must do a comparison (or else). It won't be literary analysis if you repeat what your professor has known all along.
Here's a Timeline to Keep You Prepared all the Time
You have two weeks to go. Don't be shy to ask your professor about a particular aspect (of your assignment) that will carry more marks. If it's the analysis of the novel, then you should bring out your note pad (and look at what you have written during Reading Week).
You have one week to go. You should have read the assigned text, where you can summarize your notes into three (or four) subtopics. There's nothing wrong if it's one or two, but there's a likely chance that you'll miss on something. There are certain ideas that will be left out, which doesn't mean that you must discard it. These isolated thoughts may be useful, as you check out your draft later. Keep in mind that your ideas are yours and no one (unless you talk about it with your coursemates).
You have a few days to go. If you're procrastinating at this point, then you must concentrate on one theme. It's better than having nothing to show (to your professor), but there's something else. You might be stumped from information overload, so it should be one thing at a time. You can consider another one if you still have time. How you cope with the pressure will be another factor.
You only have one day to go. You should be done, but you're wise enough not to consider it as a final draft. Take a rest, have a nap. Your refreshed self will do a better job (in looking out for vague statements caused by the faulty grammar).
You might not beat the deadline. Shallow ideas won't give you the high mark. You should have one idea, even if you're uncertain of it. Do your best to write persuasively.
