Handout Literary Appreciation and Valuing of Prose

LITERARY APPRECIATION AND VALUING OF PROSE
What is Literature?
- This describes as variety of creative works of imagination that may be
written or oral.
- Can also be defined as imitation of life.
What is Prose?
- it is a form of writing or speaking that follows natural flows of speech and
grammar, written ordinarily, without intended metrical structure.
Importance of Prose
- it is a way a writer fulfills a basic promise to the reader to deliver a story with
character, settings, conflict, a plot, and a final payoff.
Great Values of Literature
1. Entertainment
2. Social Control
3. Emotional Relief
4. Literature Mirrors Life
5. Functions as a means of direct experience
6. Literature is a reservoir of culture
7. Serves a historical/social documentation
8. A means of education and enlightenment
Literary Appreciation
1. “Literary appreciation refers to the evaluation of works of
imaginative literature as an intellectual or academic exercise”
(Ogenlewe, 2006)
= The reader interprets, evaluates, or classifies a literary work to determine
the artistic merits or demerits of such a work.
Ex.
Imagine you're reading a poem for a literature class. As you read, you start to analyze
the poem's language, themes, and symbolism. You might discuss how the poet uses
metaphor to convey deeper meanings, or how the poem reflects the cultural context
of the time it was written. Through this analysis, you gain a deeper understanding
and appreciation of the poem as a work of art, beyond just enjoying its words.
2. “Literary appreciation is the process by which one ‘gauges one’s
interpretive response as a reader to a literary work.” (Donnelson &
Nilsen, 2009)
= The reader can gain pleasure and understanding of the literature,
understand its value and importance, and admire its complexity.
Ex.
Imagine you're reading a novel for pleasure. As you read, you find yourself feeling
deeply connected to the main character's struggles. You empathize with their
emotions and feel their joy and pain as if they were your own. Through this process,
you gauge your interpretive response to the novel, realizing how the author's
storytelling has affected you emotionally and intellectually. This is an example of
literary appreciation as you assess your personal response to the literary work.
Donnelson & Nilsen (2009) Seven Stages of Literary Appreciation

1. Pleasure and Profit (Literary appreciation is a social experience) -
Imagine you're part of a book club discussing a novel. As you and your friends
share your thoughts and interpretations, you start to see the book in new
ways. You might realize that what resonated with you also resonated with
others, or you might hear differing perspectives that challenge your own
views. Through this social interaction, you deepen your appreciation for the
novel as you understand how it impacts others and how their insights enrich
your own understanding.
2. Decoding (Literacy is developed0 - Imagine a child who is just learning
to read. They start by recognizing letters and their sounds, then move on to
understanding how these letters combine to form words. As they practice, they
begin to decode more complex words and sentences. Eventually, they become
fluent readers who can easily understand and interpret written text. This
progression from recognizing basic letters to understanding complex words
and sentences is an example of how literacy is developed through decoding.
3. Lose yourself (Reading becomes a means of escaping) - Imagine a
person who has had a long and stressful day at work. They come home, pick
up a book they love, and start reading. As they immerse themselves in the
story, they begin to forget about their worries and problems. The characters
and the world of the book become so engaging that they lose track of time and
feel completely absorbed in the story. Reading, in this case, becomes a means
of escaping from the stresses of everyday life, allowing them to relax and
unwind.
4. Find yourself (Reading as Discovering identity) - Imagine a teenager
who has always felt a bit lost and unsure about who they are. They start
reading a novel about a character who goes through similar struggles and
questions about their identity. As they read, they start to relate to the
character's experiences and emotions. They begin to see parts of themselves
reflected in the character, which leads them to reflect on their own life and
choices. Through this process, they start to gain a better understanding of
themselves and what they want in life. Reading, in this case, becomes a
journey of self-discovery, helping them find aspects of their identity they may
not have been aware of before.
5. Venture beyond self ('gong beyond me’ assessing the world around
them) - Imagine a young adult who has grown up in a small, close-knit
community. They have limited exposure to people from different backgrounds
and cultures. One day, they decide to read a book about a historical event from
a different part of the world. As they delve into the story, they learn about the
struggles, triumphs, and perspectives of people from a completely different
culture. This experience broadens their understanding of the world and allows
them to empathize with experiences vastly different from their own. They start
to see the interconnectedness of humanity and develop a more nuanced view
of global issues. Through reading, they are able to venture beyond themselves
and gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the world around them.
6. Variety in reading (Reads widely and discusses experiences with
peers) - Imagine a book club where members have diverse reading interests.
One member enjoys science fiction, another prefers historical fiction, and
another is passionate about biographies. Each month, they take turns
selecting a book from their favorite genre. They read the book and then come
together to discuss their experiences, sharing insights and perspectives from
the different genres. Through these discussions, they not only broaden their
reading horizons but also gain a deeper understanding of various literary
styles and themes. This variety in reading and discussion enhances their
overall reading experience and encourages them to explore new genres they
may not have considered before.
7. Aesthetic Purposes (Avid reader’ appreciates the artistic value of
reading) - Imagine a person who loves to read and is known among their
friends as an avid reader. They don't just read for information or
entertainment; they read because they appreciate the beauty of language and
storytelling. For them, reading is an art form, and each book is a masterpiece
to be savored and admired. They take the time to notice the nuances of the
author's writing style, the imagery used to create vivid scenes, and the
symbolism that adds depth to the story. They may even re-read their favorite
books multiple times, finding new meaning and beauty with each reading.
This person reads not just to consume stories, but to appreciate the artistic
value of literature.

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LITERARY APPRECIATION AND VALUING OF PROSE

Donnelson & Nilsen (2009) Seven Stages of Literary Appreciation

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