Teacher Certification: Praxis ELA Literature

What Is It?

1. Literature is a broad term referring to written works, especially those considered to be of high artistic value or literary merit.
2. On the Praxis ELA exam, literature is tested through the analysis of various literary texts, including poetry, drama, and prose.

Why Does the Exam Ask This?

The exam asks about literature to assess the candidate's ability to analyze and interpret literary texts, understand the historical and cultural contexts in which they were written, and make connections between the texts and the world around us. This requires a deep understanding of literary devices, themes, and genres, as well as the ability to think critically and make informed judgments about the texts.

What Do I Need to Know First?

1. Literary devices: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, and symbolism.
2. Literary genres: poetry, drama, novel, short story, and essay.
3. Historical and cultural contexts: ancient Greece, Renaissance, Romanticism, and Modernism.
4. Literary theory: close reading, reader-response theory, and postcolonial theory.

Topic Snapshot

Literature is a fundamental component of the Praxis ELA exam, and a deep understanding of literary concepts and devices is essential for success. The exam tests the candidate's ability to analyze and interpret literary texts, understand the historical and cultural contexts in which they were written, and make connections between the texts and the world around us.

Exam / Job / Audit Weighting

• Frequency: High
• Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
• Question Type or Real-World Task Type: Multiple-choice, open-ended questions, and short-answer questions

Difficulty Level

intermediate

Must-Know Rules, Formulas, Standards, or Principles

1. Literary devices: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, and symbolism.
2. Literary genres: poetry, drama, novel, short story, and essay.
3. Historical and cultural contexts: ancient Greece, Renaissance, Romanticism, and Modernism.

Misconceptions

1. Literature is only about reading and analyzing texts.
2. Literary devices are only used in poetry.
3. Historical and cultural contexts are not relevant to modern literature.
4. Literary theory is only used in academic settings.
5. Literature is only about entertainment.

Common Mistakes

1. Failing to analyze the text closely.
2. Misinterpreting literary devices.
3. Ignoring historical and cultural contexts.
4. Failing to make connections between the text and the world around us.
5. Relying too heavily on personal opinions.

The Common Trap

The common trap is to rely too heavily on personal opinions and not to analyze the text closely. This can lead to misinterpretation of literary devices and a lack of understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which the text was written.

Terms to Remember

1. Metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
2. Simile: a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."
3. Personification: attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.
4. Imagery: language that appeals to the senses.
5. Symbolism: using objects, colors, or other elements to represent abstract ideas.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Read the text closely and identify literary devices.
2. Analyze the historical and cultural contexts in which the text was written.
3. Make connections between the text and the world around us.
4. Use literary theory to inform your analysis.
5. Support your answers with evidence from the text.

Exam Answer Builder

1-mark Question

What is the literary device used in the following line: "The sun was setting over the ocean, casting a golden glow over the waves."? - What it tests: ability to identify literary devices - Example Question: What is the literary device used in the following line: "The city was a beast that swallowed us whole."? - Key Tip: Look for words or phrases that create a comparison or analogy.

2-mark Question

What is the historical context in which the following text was written? - What it tests: ability to analyze historical and cultural contexts - Example Question: What is the historical context in which the following text was written: "The world is too much with us; late and soon, getting and spending, we lay waste our powers."? - Key Tip: Look for references to historical events, cultural practices, or social norms.

5-mark Question

Analyze the following text and explain how it relates to the world around us.
- What it tests: ability to make connections between the text and the world around us - Example Question: Analyze the following text and explain how it relates to the world around us: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." - Key Tip: Look for themes, motifs, or symbols that relate to contemporary issues or social concerns.

This vs That

Literature vs Literary Theory: Literature refers to written works, while literary theory refers to the study and analysis of those works. Literary theory provides a framework for understanding and interpreting literature, while literature itself is the subject of study.

Time-Saver Hack

When analyzing a text, look for repeated words or phrases that create a pattern or rhythm. This can help you identify literary devices and themes.

Mini Scenarios

Basic Scenario

A student is reading a poem that uses metaphor to compare a person to a flower. The student should notice the use of metaphor and explain how it creates a particular effect.

Applied Scenario

A teacher is using a novel to teach students about social justice issues. The teacher should notice the themes and motifs in the novel and explain how they relate to contemporary social issues.

Tricky Scenario

A student is reading a text that uses irony to convey a message. The student should notice the use of irony and explain how it creates a particular effect, but also be aware of the potential for misinterpretation.

Diagnostic MCQ Bank

Question 1

What is the literary device used in the following line: "The world is a stage, and all the men and women are merely players."? - Options: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, symbolism - Correct Answer: metaphor - Explanation: The line uses a metaphor to compare the world to a stage, creating a particular effect.
- Why the correct answer is right: The use of "is" instead of "like" or "as" creates a direct comparison between the world and a stage.
- Why the trap option is tempting: The use of personification in the phrase "men and women are merely players" might lead some to choose personification as the correct answer.

Question 2

What is the historical context in which the following text was written? - Options: ancient Greece, Renaissance, Romanticism, Modernism - Correct Answer: Renaissance - Explanation: The text refers to the use of sonnets and the influence of classical Greek poetry, indicating a Renaissance context.
- Why the correct answer is right: The text's use of sonnets and classical Greek poetry references are characteristic of the Renaissance period.
- Why the trap option is tempting: The text's use of classical Greek poetry references might lead some to choose ancient Greece as the correct answer.

Question 3

Analyze the following text and explain how it relates to the world around us.
- Options: The text relates to the world around us by exploring themes of love and relationships.
- Correct Answer: The text relates to the world around us by exploring themes of love and relationships.
- Explanation: The text uses the metaphor of a rose to explore themes of love and relationships, creating a particular effect.
- Why the correct answer is right: The text's use of the metaphor of a rose to explore themes of love and relationships creates a clear connection to the world around us.
- Why the trap option is tempting: The text's use of the metaphor of a rose might lead some to choose a different answer.

Real-World Patterns

Literature shows up in real work in the following ways: 1. Teaching and education: Teachers use literature to teach students about language, culture, and history.
2. Publishing and editing: Writers and editors use literature to create and refine written works.
3. Criticism and analysis: Scholars and critics use literature to analyze and interpret written works, providing context and insight.

30-Second Cheat Sheet

1. Literary devices: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, symbolism.
2. Historical and cultural contexts: ancient Greece, Renaissance, Romanticism, Modernism.
3. Literary theory: close reading, reader-response theory, and postcolonial theory.
4. Connections to the world around us: themes, motifs, and symbols.
5. Analysis and interpretation: close reading, context, and insight.

Related Concepts

1. Language and linguistics: understanding the structure and function of language.
2. Culture and history: understanding the cultural and historical contexts in which literature was written.
3. Critical thinking and analysis: developing the skills to analyze and interpret written works.

Verified Source List

1. The Norton Anthology of English Literature
2. The Oxford Handbook of English Literature
3. The Cambridge Companion to English Literature
4. The MLA Handbook
5. The Chicago Manual of Style