Lit Bits
Discussing and Appreciating Literature
Reading this book is like participating in a thoughtful class discussion during an Introduction to Poetry course. At the heart of “Lit Bits” lies a curated selection of poems carefully chosen to illustrate how twelve elements of literature contribute to the power of poetry. Each chapter covers one literary element. Fitting poems, discussion prompts, and sample answers lead to a deeper appreciation of poetry. This guide contains all the content and inspiration necessary for a dozen meaningful book club discussions.
Kirkus Editor’s Pick and Star May 15, 2025
Kirkus raves, “There’s a calm, inviting assurance to all this material that’s cumulatively marvelous and virtually guaranteed to make poetry less intimidating and more intriguing for students of all ages . . . . A comprehensive, valuable, and enthusiastic introduction to reading and enjoying poetry.”
Chapter 01
A symbol is a thing, such as an object, place, character, color, or action, which operates on two levels. On the literal level, the symbol is what it is. On the figurative level, the symbol represents more than what it literally is.
Chapter 02
A character is a person, or occasionally an animal, we encounter in a literary work. The main character in a literary work is a “protagonist.” An admirable protagonist is called a “hero.” A protagonist lacking admirable qualities is called an “antihero.”
Chapter 03
Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces that drives the action. There are six essential conflicts in literature—and in life …
Chapter 04
A metaphor is a comparison of two things that may initially seem very dissimilar. The best metaphors are imaginative figures of speech that lead to a deeper understanding.