📚 Year 7 CAIE English Literature: Key Concepts and Techniques Quick Reference | Year 7 CAIE 英语文学：公式定理速查手册
In English Literature, we don't have mathematical formulas, but we do have 'formulas' for understanding how a story works. These key concepts and techniques are the building blocks of every poem, play or novel you will study. This handbook gives you a quick reference to the essential toolkit for Year 7 CAIE English Literature.
在英语文学中，我们没有数学公式，但我们确实有理解故事如何运作的“公式”。这些核心概念和技巧是你将要学习的每一首诗、每一部戏剧或小说的基石。本手册为你提供了 Year 7 CAIE 英语文学必备工具包的速查参考。
1. Plot | 情节
Plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. It usually follows a structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Understanding the plot helps you see how the writer builds tension and delivers a satisfying ending.
情节是构成故事的一系列事件。它通常遵循这样的结构：开端、发展、高潮、结局和尾声。理解情节有助于你明白作者如何制造悬念并呈现令人满意的结尾。
- Exposition – introduces characters and setting | 开端 – 介绍人物和背景
- Rising action – conflicts and complications develop | 发展 – 冲突和复杂情节展开
- Climax – the turning point, highest tension | 高潮 – 转折点，紧张感达到顶点
- Falling action – events after the climax leading to resolution | 结局 – 高潮之后导向化解的事件
- Resolution – the conflict is resolved | 尾声 – 冲突得到解决
2. Character | 人物
Characters are the people, animals or creatures in a story. We learn about them through what they say, do, think and how others react to them. A protagonist is the main character, while an antagonist opposes them. Characters can be round (complex) or flat (simple).
人物是故事中的人、动物或生物。我们通过他们的言行、想法以及他人对他们的反应来了解他们。主角是主要人物，而反派则是与主角对立的人物。人物可以是立体的（复杂的）或扁平的（简单的）。
- Protagonist – the central character | 主角 – 中心人物
- Antagonist – the force or character against the protagonist | 反派 – 与主角对立的力量或人物
- Direct characterization – the author explicitly describes the character | 直接刻画 – 作者明确描述人物
- Indirect characterization – revealed through speech, thoughts, actions | 间接刻画 – 通过语言、思想、行动揭示
3. Setting | 背景
Setting is where and when the story takes place. It includes the physical location, time period, weather and social environment. Setting can create mood, influence characters and even act as a symbol. A stormy night might suggest danger, while a sunny meadow suggests peace.
背景是故事发生的地点和时间。它包括具体地点、时代、天气和社会环境。背景可以营造氛围、影响人物，甚至充当象征。暴风雨的夜晚可能暗示危险，而阳光明媚的草地则暗示平静。
- Time – historical period, time of day, season | 时间 – 历史时期、一天中的时刻、季节
- Place – geographical location, landscape, buildings | 地点 – 地理位置、风景、建筑
- Atmosphere – the feeling created by the setting | 氛围 – 背景所营造的感觉
4. Theme | 主题
Theme is the central idea or message the writer wants to explore. It is not the plot; it is what the story is really about on a deeper level. Common themes in Year 7 texts include friendship, courage, growing up, good versus evil and family. A single story can have multiple themes.
主题是作者想要探讨的核心思想或信息。它不是情节，而是故事在更深层次上的真正内容。Year 7 文本中常见的主题包括友谊、勇气、成长、善恶对抗和家庭。一个故事可以有多个主题。
- Explicit theme – stated directly | 显性主题 – 直接陈述
- Implicit theme – revealed through events and characters | 隐性主题 – 通过事件和人物揭示
- Universal theme – appears across cultures and times | 普遍主题 – 跨文化和时代出现
5. Point of View | 叙事视角
Point of view tells us who is telling the story. First-person uses 'I' and gives us one character's direct thoughts. Third-person limited focuses on one character's feelings and perceptions. Third-person omniscient knows everything about all characters. The choice of perspective shapes what we know and how we feel.
叙事视角告诉我们谁在讲述故事。第一人称使用“我”，给我们一个人物的直接想法。第三人称受限视角聚焦于一个人物的感受和认知。第三人称全知视角了解所有人物的一切。视角的选择塑造了我们知道什么以及我们如何感受。
- First-person – 'I' narrator, part of the story | 第一人称 – “我”叙述者，故事中的一部分
- Third-person limited – 'he/she', inside one mind | 第三人称受限 – “他/她”，进入一个人的内心
- Third-person omniscient – all-knowing narrator | 第三人称全知 – 无所不知的叙述者
6. Figurative Language | 修辞语言
Figurative language goes beyond the literal meaning to create vivid images and deeper understanding. Simile compares using 'like' or 'as'. Metaphor says one thing is another. Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. These tools make writing more powerful and imaginative.
修辞语言超越字面意义，创造生动的图像和更深的理解。明喻用“像”或“如”进行比较。暗喻说一物是另一物。拟人赋予非人之物以人的特质。这些工具使写作更有力和富有想象力。
- Simile – 'as brave as a lion' | 明喻 – “像狮子一样勇敢”
- Metaphor – 'the classroom was a zoo' | 暗喻 – “教室是个动物园”
- Personification – 'the wind whispered' | 拟人 – “风在低语”
- Hyperbole – extreme exaggeration, 'I've told you a million times' | 夸张 – 极度夸大，“我告诉过你一百万次了”
7. Imagery | 意象
Imagery uses sensory language to appeal to our five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. When a writer describes the 'crunch of autumn leaves underfoot' or the 'sweet scent of jasmine', they are creating imagery. Strong imagery helps you step into the world of the text.
意象使用感官语言来调动我们的五种感官：视觉、听觉、嗅觉、味觉和触觉。当作者描述“脚下秋叶的嘎吱声”或“茉莉花的甜香”时，他们正在创造意象。强烈的意象帮助你走进文本的世界。
- Visual – what we see | 视觉 – 我们看到的
- Auditory – what we hear | 听觉 – 我们听到的
- Olfactory – what we smell | 嗅觉 – 我们闻到的
- Gustatory – what we taste | 味觉 – 我们尝到的
- Tactile – what we touch or feel | 触觉 – 我们触碰或感觉到的
8. Tone and Mood | 语气与氛围
Tone is the writer's attitude towards the subject or audience. It might be serious, humorous, sarcastic or sad. Mood is the feeling the reader gets from the text – eerie, joyful, tense or nostalgic. The two work together; a respectful tone might create a solemn mood.
语气是作者对主题或读者的态度。它可以是严肃、幽默、讽刺或悲伤的。氛围是读者从文本中获得的感觉——诡异、欢乐、紧张或怀旧。两者共同作用；尊敬的语气可能营造庄重的氛围。
- Tone – conveyed through word choice and sentence structure | 语气 – 通过用词和句子结构传达
- Mood – the emotional atmosphere for the reader | 氛围 – 读者的情感氛围
- Diction – the author's choice of words heavily influences both | 措辞 – 作者的选词对两者影响很大
9. Structure | 结构
Structure is how a text is organised. In poetry, structure includes stanzas, rhyme scheme and rhythm. In prose, it involves chapters, paragraphs and sentence lengths. Writers use structure to control pace and emphasis. A sudden short sentence can create shock.
结构是文本的组织方式。在诗歌中，结构包括诗节、押韵格式和节奏。在散文中，它包括章节、段落和句子长度。作者用结构来控制节奏和强调。突然的短句可以制造震惊感。
- Stanza – a group of lines in a poem | 诗节 – 诗中的一组诗行
- Rhyme scheme – pattern of rhyming words (e.g. ABAB) | 押韵格式 – 押韵词的规律（如 ABAB）
- Pace – how quickly events unfold | 节奏 – 事件展开的快慢
- Sentence variety – long and short sentences for effect | 句式变化 – 长短句的运用以达到效果
10. Literary Devices | 文学手法
Literary devices are specific techniques writers use to create meaning and effect. Alliteration repeats consonant sounds, as in 'Sally sells sea shells'. Onomatopoeia uses words that sound like their meaning, like 'buzz' or 'hiss'. Foreshadowing hints at future events, building suspense. Irony occurs when what happens is the opposite of what is expected.
文学手法是作者用来创造意义和效果的具体技巧。头韵重复辅音，如“Sally sells sea shells”。拟声使用听起来像其含义的词，如“嗡嗡”或“嘶嘶”。伏笔暗示未来事件，制造悬念。反讽是发生的事情与预期相反。
- Alliteration – repeated first sounds | 头韵 – 重复开头的音
- Onomatopoeia – word imitates sound | 拟声 – 词模仿声音
- Foreshadowing – clues about what will happen next | 伏笔 – 关于接下来发生什么的线索
- Irony – contrast between expectation and reality | 反讽 – 预期与现实的对比
- Symbolism – an object representing an idea | 象征 – 物体代表某种思想
11. Analysing a Poem – The FAST Method | 分析诗歌——FAST 方法
A quick 'formula' for analysing any poem is to use FAST: Form, Audience, Subject, Tone. Form covers structure, rhyme and rhythm. Audience is who the poem is written for. Subject is the topic or theme. Tone captures the poet's attitude. Apply this to every unseen poem in your CAIE exam.
一个快速分析任何诗歌的“公式”是使用 FAST 方法：形式、读者、主题、语气。形式涵盖结构、押韵和节奏。读者是诗歌为谁而写。主题是话题或主旨。语气捕捉诗人的态度。在你的 CAIE 考试中，对每一首未读过的诗歌运用这个方法。
- Form – sonnet, free verse, ballad, etc. | 形式 – 十四行诗、自由诗、民谣等
- Audience – the intended reader | 读者 – 预期的读者
- Subject – what the poem is about | 主题 – 诗歌的内容
- Tone – the feeling the poet creates | 语气 – 诗人营造的感觉
12. Answering Extract Questions – PEEL Paragraphs | 回答节选问题——PEEL 段落
When you write about a passage from a novel or play, use the PEEL structure: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link. Make a clear point, quote a short piece of evidence, explain how the language or device creates meaning, then link back to the question or the writer's overall purpose. This 'formula' ensures focused, analytical answers.
当你写关于小说或戏剧节选的答案时，使用 PEEL 结构：观点、证据、解释、联系。提出一个清晰的观点，引用一小段证据，解释语言或手法如何创造意义，然后联系回问题或作者的整体目的。这个“公式”能确保答案聚焦且具有分析性。
- Point – a clear topic sentence | 观点 – 清晰的主题句
- Evidence – a well-chosen quotation | 证据 – 精心挑选的引文
- Explanation – analysis of the effect on the reader | 解释 – 分析对读者的效果
- Link – connect to the wider context or question | 联系 – 连接到更广的上下文或问题
Published by TutorHao | English Literature Revision Series | aleveler.com
更多咨询请联系16621398022（同微信）
或截图后用「扫一扫 → 相册」选择本图