Engelskspråklig litteratur og kultur eksamen | Vår 2013 | Study Guide

Task 1
Short answer
All the students are to answer this task.
Answer both tasks a) and b).
Read the text in Appendix 1 written by Tanya Gold in the British daily newspaper The Guardian, and answer a) and b) below:
a) Write two or three sentences in which you summarise in your own words the author’s
message and tone.
b) Write one or two paragraphs in which you refer to at least three examples of different language features and/or literary devices the writer uses to make her point, and explain how each of them enhances the message.

Task 2
Short answer
All the students are to answer this task.
In two or three paragraphs give your interpretation of the painting and the poem below and comment on how they convey the experience of being a shift worker. 

Task 3
Long answer
Choose one of the alternatives a, b, c, or d.

Task 3a
Many people claim that art should have a higher purpose than just to entertain, and on his latest CD, Bruce Springsteen seems to adhere to this belief. He makes a strong statement about current problems and politics in America, including the loss of solidarity,
the destruction of hometowns brought about by finance speculators and the hardships suffered by the average man in the street.
Write a text in which you interpret the two Bruce Springsteen lyrics in Appendix 2 and discuss the ideas they convey. End your text with a brief discussion of whether or not art should have a higher purpose. 

Task 3b
Write a short story based on what you think the song lyrics below are about. Your story should incorporate as much information as possible from the lyrics. After your story, write a separate paragraph in which you discuss the features of the short-story genre you have
used.

Task 3c
Read the three openings from the novels in Appendix 3: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, Pretty Little Liars: Wanted by Sara Shepard and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Write a text in which you discuss some of the literary techniques the writers use to draw the reader into the story (for example setting, plot, structure, point of view, characterization, figurative language). Also discuss how successfully each text captures the reader’s attention. Use examples from the openings in your text.

Task 3d
Often writers tell a story to teach us something about life and to influence our opinions on an issue. To try to convince us to see things their way they will choose to tell the story in a particular manner.
Choose two of the English-language literary texts (short stories, novels, plays) you have studied during your course and discuss and compare how the writers choose to tell us the story and how this enhances their message. Give examples from the two texts in your
answer.