Writer portfolio
Literary canon describes the most representative work of literature on which the studies of English and American literature are anchored. Literature cannot be said to have attained the sophistication level at which it can serious be studied if it doesn’t have canon. Scholarly work create canon through availing accurate texts and defining terms used for the study (Dobbs, 62). For instance folk literature may not have canons until scholars get involved in the act, analyzing and correlating oral transmission of song or tale. The study of literature creation and testing any claim for the place of the literature in canon makes one a better reader. Canons can distort literature through the introduction of biases that are predictable in interpretation.
Genre as a type of literature is normally characterized by a certain form, style or content. Various types of genres including drama, poetry, fiction or non- fiction have specific features which differentiate from one another. In genre there is much usage of figurative language in order to place more emphasis, to show resemblance or relationship or even figures of sound (Makaryk, 84). These devices of literature use the figurative language to appeal the readers’ senses, and they usually go beyond the literal definition of the words to giver new insights to the readers. The genres are not normally divided up using constant criteria, but such criteria may change frequently be subject of arguments or criticism. Even some loose terms such as fiction cannot be applied universally to every fictitious literature. What makes genre distinct is that they share some characteristics (Makaryk, 85). They may also use epiphany while the writers need to show character growth or offer a rationale for a shift in the plot of the genre.
Literature lenses make it possible to read a literature works through focusing on various meanings or details. One has a choice for which lenses to use while reading a certain text. Their main aim is to assist in the understanding of various ways texts are read; with a proponent of each believing theirs to the true one. Historical criticism requires that one apply a given text to a given historical information regarding time in which it was written by the author. Feminist criticism involves seeing the weaknesses in a society which hinder women from realizing their abilities or identifying women as just negative objects. This lens uses the notion of gender as a cultural tool. Genre analysis involves understanding text in the non-literal communication so as to get the intended meaning (Maloy, 1).
My growth as a writer has involved the understanding that even a professional writer starts from somewhere. It is not possible that the first attempt in writing will produce a perfect draft. The stage of revision is a very important and separates the writer from other writers who are less experienced. Various strategies can be used in the revision, which allows the experimentation with writing while offering freedom for creation of a nearly perfect paper. Peer review is one strategy that can be applied in the process.
My writing skills have improved after learning on how to integrate the writing and thinking especially in the translation of main research findings into the classroom work, and in preparation for my assessments. The growth has involved the use of textual evidence in the writing process and the use of different sources for information. This knowledge will be very useful in my college work in future since it will assist me in the comparison of various interpretation of work done by literary scholars.
Works cited
Maloy. Lenses for Reading Literature. 2010.1 Available at: https://www.montclair.edu/media/montclairedu/chss/departments/english/enwr106/WS_Lenses_for_Reading_Literature_106_(Maloy).pdf
Dobbs, Sarah. English Language, Literature and Creative Writing: A Practical Guide for Students. , 2014.62
Makaryk, Irena R. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Literary Theory: Approaches, Scholars, Terms. Toronto: Univ. of Toronto Press, 1993. Print.84-85
