All of the literature for this course will come from the public domain, which means that it is available for use without having to request permission from the author and without having to pay royalties.

Step 1: In your own words, explain each of the 4 main genres of literature, which are fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and drama. Discuss the following:

How do the main genres of literature differ from one another?

How are the main genres of literature similar?

What are common literary themes?

Some genres allow the author to approach a theme indirectly, while other genres are more direct. How are themes expressed across the genres?

Step 2: Choose 1 of the 4 main genres of literature. Using one of the following links to a public domain site, conduct a search to find your genre of choice's literary work:

Fiction

Poetry

Nonfiction

Drama

Step 3: Identify the title and author. Use a citation to identify where you located this work.

Title:

Author:

Reference citation:

Step 4: Read the first 2-3 paragraphs of the piece of literature you chose above, and discuss the following:

What do you know about the work based on that short passage?

Are any characters revealed? Who are they?

What emotions does this piece evoke?

How does this work relate to your own personal experience?