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FRAN-B105

Exercices d'analyse littéraire

academic year
2026-2027

Course teacher(s)

Sabrina PARENT (Coordinator)

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

french

Course content

The course aims to provide first-year students with the necessary tools for analyzing poetic and narrative texts selected from a corpus spanning all centuries up to the ultra-contemporary. Regarding poetic analysis, students will develop a systematic approach to identifying sounds (assonances, alliterations, rhymes), metrics (rhythm), stylistic figures, and poetic genres. All these formal elements will be considered for the purpose of developing the text’s meaning. As for narratology, students will be trained in using the basic concepts and technical vocabulary of "classic" narratology.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

At the end of this course, students will have acquired the main techniques for analyzing and interpreting (commentary on) literary, poetic, and narrative texts.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

N/A

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course consists of theoretical lectures (12 hours) and guided exercises (24 hours).

It involves systematic identification of various techniques and devices (such as stylistic figures) used in literary texts. While this identification is essential, it is only a preliminary step in the course’s dynamic. Ultimately, the course aims for students to be able, at an interpretative level, to connect form and content. This means understanding the purpose of using a particular writing trait, stylistic figure, or focalization in the discourse: what effects are produced and what possible interpretations can be derived?

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

The list of reading changes every year and is made available the first day of class. 

Course notes

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

(1) To build knowledge and skills specific to literature specialists, in this case, the acquisition of techniques for analyzing and interpreting texts;
(2) To initiate students to master scientific written production (text commentary based on argumentation).

Other information

Contacts

sabrina.parent@ullb.be
anne-rosine.delbart@ulb.be
marie-sophie.cariat@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • Other

Other

Session 1 (January): Assignment (Narratology section) + written exam (Poetic Analysis section); to pass the exam, students must obtain a grade of 10/20 for both the Narratology section and the Poetic Analysis section.
Session 1 (May): Assignment (Narratology section) + written exam (Poetic Analysis section); to pass the exam, students must obtain a grade of 10/20 for both the Narratology section and the Poetic Analysis section.
The May assessment is only available to students who have withdrawn their January grade. The administrative procedure for withdrawing a grade must be completed in March. No exceptions to this rule will be accepted.
Session 2 (August): Assignment (Narratology section) + written exam (Poetic Analysis section); to pass the exam, students must obtain a grade of 10/20 for both the Narratology section and the Poetic Analysis section.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Session 1 (January): Homework (50%) + Written Exam (50%)
Session 1 (May): Homework (50%) + Written Exam (50%)
Session 2 (August): Homework (50%) + Written Exam (50%)

Language(s) of evaluation

  • french

Programmes