A course of modern english lexicology

3. THE BASICS OF ANALYSIS

When analysing a text it is necessary to follow a certain plan.
The main goal in the analysis of the text is to understand its main idea, and to characterize the stylistic devices the author uses in order to address the reader.
At first you should be able to answer the following simple questions:
• Who is the story about?
• What can you say about the main characters?
• What is positive and negative about them?
• What do you imagine while reading the story?
• Do you like the story?
After answering these questions you can continue with the analysis of the text, using the following plan:
1. Give information about the author and the book.
2. Give a summary of the extract (story) under consideration.
4. Give a general definition of the text.
5. Define the prevailing mood of the text.
6. Characterize the structure of the text.
6. Give a detailed analysis of every part of the text. Dwell upon the contents of the part and then comment of the stylistic devices used
7. Give the main idea of the story.
8. Express your attitude towards the things described.

QUESTIONS TO LECTURE #8

1. What is the plot?
2. What is the exposition?
3. What is the climax?
4. What is the denouement?
5. What is a closed plot structure?
6. What is the conflict?
7. What types of conflict in literary works do you know?
8. What is the theme of the story?
9. What is the tone of the story?
10. What is the mood of the narration?
11. What is the main goal of the stylistic analysis of the text?
12. What are the main questions you should answer before analyzing the text?
13. What plan is it recommended to use for a stylistic analysis of the text?

SUPPLEMENTS

1. STYLISTICALLY COLOURED AND NEUTRAL VERBS