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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Oral Interpretation of Literature
Course: THP241

First Term: 2010 Fall
Lecture   3 Credit(s)   3 Period(s)   3 Load  
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S


Description: The study, analysis, and preparation for performance of prose, poetry, and dramatic literature. Preparation of material for public audiences.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the development and theory of literary performance as an art form. (I)
2. Describe a communicative model of literary performance. (I)
3. Describe the criteria for selecting literature for performance. (I)
4. Analyze a literary selection, and adapt and cut the selection for performance. (I)
5. Demonstrate variety in volume, pitch, tempo, and quality of voice. (I)
6. Demonstrate body control in posture, gesture, muscle tone, and motivated movement while performing a literary selection. (I)
7. Write and deliver an appropriate introduction, development of a theme, and transitions for a literary selection. (I)
8. Demonstrate techniques for performing prose, lyric and narrative poetry, and dramatic literature involving a dialogue between two characters. (II, III, IV)
9. Compose oral and written evaluations of literary performance. (I-IV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Basic Principles
   A. The development and theory of literary performance
      1. The communicative act
      2. Models of the communicative act
      3. Creativity and style
   B. Selecting the literature
      1. Three touchstones of quality literature
         a. Universality
         b. Individuality
         c. Suggestion
      2. Literary genres
         a. Imaginative prose and poetry
      1. Novel
      2. Short story
      3. Plays
      4. Poetry
         b. Non-imaginative prose
      1. Biography/autobiography
      2. Essay
      3. Letters, journals, diaries
      4. Didactic prose
   C. Analyzing the literature
      1. Organization of ideas
      2. The author`s attitude
      3. The intrinsic factors
         a. Unity and harmony
         b. Variety and projection
         c. Balance and proportion
         d. Rhythm
      4. Adapting and cutting the literature
   D. Voice development
      1. Breath control
      2. Volume and projection
      3. Pitch
      4. Rate and pause
      5. Quality
   E. The use of the body
      1. Posture
      2. Muscle tone
      3. Gesture
      4. Movement
   F. Performance requirements
      1. Introduction
      2. Themes
      3. Transitions
      4. Manuscripts
      5. Written and oral peer evaluations
II. The Performance of Prose
   A. Types of prose
      1. Prose fiction
         a. Novel
         b. Short story
      2. Nonfiction prose
         a. Essays
         b. Biography/autobiography
         c. Letters, journals, diaries
         d. Didactic prose
   B. Literary structure
      1. Description
      2. Exposition
      3. Narrative
      4. Argument
      5. Point of view
      6. Plot and action
      7. Setting
      8. Theme
      9. Characters
      10. Dialogue
      11. Symbolism 12. Grammatical elements
         a. Sentences
         b. Paragraphs
         c. Choice of words
         d. Syntax
         e. Figures of speech
         f. Style
   C. Performance techniques
      1. Speech phrases
      2. Prose rhythm
      3. Characterization
         a. Physical focus
         b. Dialect
         c. Pitch
         d. Volume
         e. Evaluation
III. The Performance of Poetry
   A. Types of poetry
      1. Narrative
         a. Popular ballad
         b. Metrical tale
         c. Epic
      2. Lyric
         a. Elegy
         b. Ode
         c. Sonnet
   B. Literary structure
      1. Rhythm/meter
      2. Rhyme
      3. Figurative language
      4. Stanzas
      5. Syntax
      6. Tone color
      7. Figures of speech
   C. Performance techniques
      1. The use of tempo and pauses in relation to rhythm and rhyme
      2. Reading rate
      3. Evaluation
IV. Performance of Drama
   A. Types of drama
      1. Tragedy
      2. Comedy
      3. Tragicomedy
      4. Melodrama
      5. Farce
      6. Fantasy
      7. Historical
      8. Problem play
   B. Literary structure
      1. Conflict
      2. Plot
      3. Climax
      4. Characters
      5. Dialogue
      6. Poetic verse
   C. Performance techniques
      1. Acting and interpretation
      2. Intensity and control of emotion
      3. Physical action
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/25/2010

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.