Experimentation
In order to become familiar with a matieral object or literary form, one must first experiment, play, or otherwise engage the unknown. Students will first begin by experimenting with categorization and literary short forms. These categories will help you shape your approach as well as open new avenues to defining literary short forms.
Students should pay attention to different questions of categorization: Do you focus on a particular author? Form? Time period? Medium? Material? Location? Where do these categories overlap or contradict each other? Do you want to create an anthology or field guide? What are your own personal tendencies (toward books or else where?)
Examples: Scroll to the bottom of the page.
Assignment: Choose 2 examples of different short forms from the definitions list, one traditionally in an anthology and one “in the field.” Offer a classification for each one with the format of an anthology and field guide.
How: Go to the library's website and search for "anthologies" in the catalog (or go to the library!). You can find lots of anthologies of any topic, but try to limit it to one of the forms from the definitions list. You can also find them in the street, movies, books (novels, plays, short stories, etc.). They even come from our mouths (people say short forms all the time).
Due: Wednesday, October 20.
Submission: Submit on Moodle
Anthology Format
Anthology Classifications (Prose, in the form of annotation):
Example short form:
Form: What is the form of your short text? What are similar forms and why do you classify yours the way you do?
Important figures: What figures of speech/thought feature prominently?
Prose/Poetry: Is it in verse or prose?
Author: Is there a known author?
Audience: Was it created for a particular audience?
Time period: When was it created and does this affect our understanding?
Theme/Meaning: Are their major or repeated ideas? Does it have a discernable meaning?
Source: Cite source or provide documentation of the short form.
Field Guide Format
Field Guide Classifications (Bold Points):
Example Short form:
Definition: What is the short form? (literary category)
Location: Where is this short form found?
Documentation Method: Audio, Video, Visual (Give specs), notetaking, etc.
Material: what is the short form made of?
Media: how does this short form enhance communication, obsolesce older media, return old media assumptions, or reverse media expectations (McLuhan)?
Function: what purpose might this short form have?
Access: who has access to this short form? what technologies are required?
Source: Cite source or provide documentation of the short form.
Annotated anthology Entry Example:
Short Form:
NATURE and Nature’s Laws lay hid in Night:
God said, “Let Newton be!” and all was light!
Alexander Pope wrote these two lines as an epitaph, or “an inscription on a tomb or grave.” It could be an epigram with its wit, turn of phrase, and publication, but because it was written for the death of Isaac Newton, it is an epitaph. It is in verse, specifically heroic couplet with iambic pentameter and end rhyme. There are also many other figures: a quotation by rewriting the verse “let there be light” (Genesis 1:3); alliteration (Nature/nature/night/Newton; Laws/lay/let); metaphors (night/light or ignorance/reason); and direct speech (God said). It was an occasional poem written for the death of Isaac Newton on March 21, 1727. Though it was never displayed on Newton’s grave in Westminster Abby, it appeared in a book of Pope’s collected works meant for an educated audience. Written in the eighteenth century during the Enlightenment, Pope emphasizes both God and Newton, religion and science. The order of the epitaph mirrors the order of the universe, which Newton discovered. By praising Newton’s unique place as chosen by God, Pope also elevates his own position as poet. Though this epitaph can be found in many sources, it comes from Alexander Pope.The Complete Poetical Works of Alexander Pope, edited by Henry Walcott Boynton, 1869–1947. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1903.
Field Guide Entry Example:
Short form:
Keyifli akşamların çerezi, Cerezza, TV, Süt mısırlı aromalı
(Pleasant evening snack, Cerezza, TV, Sweet corn flavored)
Definition: This is a hybrid short literary form consisting of an advertising motto (slogan) along with a multi-colored image of the snack and corn. Location: It can be found in grocery stores, mini-markets, or gas stations. Usually displayed with other snacks. Documentation Method: Mobile phone. Material: It is made of polypropylene (watertight plastic). Media: It uses image, text, and color to communicate particular feelings, times, locations to consumers (pleasant, evening, taste, smell, television). The differing fonts and sizes, colors (black, white, and yellow), and image placements create a quick impression of pleasure. Function: The purpose of this hybrid form is to sell the product. By communicating particular feelings, consumers are likely to purchase the product to attempt to create the feelings listed (The pleasure of sitting at home, watching TV, tasting and smelling). Access: Anyone can purchase this product (4tl), yet not anyone can produce the product. It requires industrial equipment (factory) to produce the food contents as well as petroleum to produce the container. Source: See image.
