USING SOURCES TO DEFINE LITERARY TERMS

Two Sources in Definition -- Often the writing assignment will ask you to define a literary term such as irony or satire. The purpose of this exercise is to give you practice in locating information from published sources and in integrating it into your own writing. Remember that any information that is summarized, paraphrased, or quoted from a source must be documented. Information on parenthetical documentation is given here. The models that you will use most frequently in your works cited are given here. The correct methods for integrating quotations into your own writing are given in this document.

To define the term, use at least two sources. A Handbook to Literature, which is listed on your course outline, is recommended. A grammar handbook may also useful for certain questions. Other sources may be found on the web or in reference books in the library. Here are the addresses of two web sites.

Glossary of Literary Terms (Gale Group)

University of Victoria's Writers Guide

MODEL DEFINITION OF THE WORD “FOIL”

The word “foil” has multiple definitions. It is derived from the Old French word “folium” which means “leaf.” A leaf of polished metal was often placed under a gem to enhance its brilliance (American). “In literature, the term is applied to any person who through contrast underscores the distinctive characteristics of another” (Harmon and Holman 216). For example, the calm and capable sheriff of Mayberry, Andy Griffith, is made to seem even more level headed by the antics of his foil, Barney Fife, who is both excitable and inept.

The model numbers given below are refernces to the ninth edition ofThe Little Brown Handbook. Information about MLA documentation on line can be found at this address.

“Foil” American Heritage Talking Dictionary. 3rd edition. (Model 21)

Harmon, William and G. Hugh Holman. A Handbook to Literature. 7th edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 1996. (Model 3)

Model numbers refer to those given in chapter 46 of The Little Brown Handbook.

SOURCES

The first source used is a standard dictionary. The etymology of foil reveals how the original meaning makes sense when it is applied figuratively to characters in books or dramas. But more often a standard dictionary such as this or Webster's will not be of much help since words used in a literary context usually have specific meanings that an ordinary definition will not reveal. Do not rely on an ordinary dictionary as your only source. Always consult A Handbook to Literature. In writing this definition, a ready example occurred to me that I included. You may do likewise. Specific examples are always helpful in making technical or abstract terms clear.

DOCUMENTATION

Parenthetical documentation is given following the information taken from each source. Since a dictionary is arranged alphabetically, no page numbers are required. The partial title American is sufficient to relate the source to the full bibliographic information in the works cited (SEE MODEL 21 LBH). For the second source, the names of the authors are given. These names point to the complete bibliographic information for the book.

A SECOND EXAMPLE

A Handbook to Literature says that the word "foil" literally means a "leaf" or a sheet "of bright metal placed under a piece of jewelry to increase its brilliance" (Harmon and Holman 216). Thus when applied to literature, the term refers to "a character who makes a contrast with another, especially a minor character who helps set off a major character" (Barnett et al. 1331). For example, a foolish character may place a wise character's wisdom in a stronger light, or a cowardly character may make the hero's actions appear even more courageous. A foil is frequently an antagonist or a confidant, but whoever the foil might be, the purpose is to illuminate one or more significant traits, attitudes or actions of a main character (Morner and Rausch).

DOCUMENTATION

Barnet, et al. Literature for Composition. 4th ed. New York: HarperCollins 1996. 983-993. (Model 17)

Holman, Hugh C. and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature. 7th ed. NewYork: Macmillan, 1996. (Model 3)

Morner, Kathleen and Ralph Rausch. NTC's Dictionary of Literary Terms. Lincolnwood, Illinois: NCT Publishing, 1996. (Model 3)

NOTE: According to the LBH, where reference works that list entries alphabetically are concerned, “you need not include volume or page numbers. . . . “ And for well known works, “you may also omit the editor's names and all publication information except any edition number and year of publication.” However, “for works that are not well known, give full publication information” (726). In the examples above, I decided that the sources fall under the “not well known” category and so have given full publication information.

WORKS CITED ENTRIES FOR INTERNET SOURCES

Suppose that you look up the term “metaphor” on the two Internet sources listed at the top of this document. Here is how the works cited entries for each would look:

“Metaphor.” Glossary of Literary Terms. Gale/Thompson. 19 Jan. 2002. Http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/lit_kit/glossary.htm#m

“Metaphor.” The University of Victoria Writer's Guide. 19 Jan. 2002. http://web.uvic.ca/wguide/Pages/RhetMetaphor.html