Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Voice Onset Time (VOT)

The moment in which voicing starts, relative to the release of a closure. We can find three types of VOT: voice lead, short lag VOT, and long lag VOT. Phonetically voiced and voiceless sounds are determined by VOT.

Prefortis Clipping

A fortis (voiceless) sound following in the same syllable causes the following vowel to be shorter than it would be in another environment.

Connected Speech Assimilation

A type of adjustment in connected speech during which a given sound (the assimilating sound) takes on the characteristics of a neighboring sound (the conditioning sound). Types: partial or complete, adjacent or non-adjacent, progressive or regressive.

• Regressive: The assimilated sound precedes and is affected by the conditioning

... Continue reading "English Phonetics: Connected Speech Processes and Phoneme Analysis" »

The Alliterative Revival

In Middle English poetry, alliterative verse experienced a resurgence known as the Alliterative Revival. While rhyme played a significant role in other forms, alliteration was the primary structural element in this movement.

William Langland and Piers Plowman

William Langland, believed to have been born in the West Midlands, was a prominent figure in the Alliterative Revival. His most famous work, Piers Plowman, offers potential autobiographical insights and suggests familiarity with London. Scholars speculate that he may have been a cleric of a lower class.

Piers Plowman: A Dream Vision

Piers Plowman is a verse allegory presented as a dream vision, a popular literary device in the Middle Ages used to convey truths or real... Continue reading "The Alliterative Revival and Estate Satire in Middle English Literature" »

Key Literary Concepts and Definitions

Literary Forms and Genres

Literature

The art or way to express oneself through written words and to keep a record.

Lyrics/Poetry

Written expression of thoughts, feelings, and desires, conveyed through suggestive and indirect language.

Epic

A narrative poem written in heroic hexameter. It has four constituent parts: plot, character, thought, and diction.

Drama

Poetic compositions designed to be acted in front of audiences in a theatron.

Tragedy

Defined as "the imitation of an action that is serious and also as having magnitude, complete in itself." It is a form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear.

Narrative Structure Elements

Plot

The structure or organization of events that make up a fictional story.... Continue reading "Essential Literary Terms and Definitions" »

Event Props: 3D, 2D, Built & Sculpted

3D Props: Constructed or Sculpted

3D props are either constructed or sculpted.

Tall columns can be constructed from seamless paper tubing. Doors, frames, pediments, pedestals, planters, and other items are available, depending on budget and local prop rental warehouses.

Advantages: Self-standing, usually easy to install.

Disadvantages: Expensive and bulky to handle, transport, and ship.

2D Props: Flats and Cutouts

2D props are rectangular two-dimensional props that are scenically or decoratively painted or covered with decorative fabric. A standard 2D prop is the cutout profile piece, which can consist of representational artwork that is “cut out” along its outline.

Numerous decorative 2D hard props are... Continue reading "Props for Events: 3D, 2D, Built & Sculpted - A Practical Guide" »

Scripted and Unscripted TV Programmes

Scripted programmes: dramas, situation comedies, comedy shows, soap operas, documentaries, etc.

Unscripted programmes: talk shows, game shows, reality shows, news, sport and current affairs, etc., and may be either live or recorded.

Basic Camera Shot Types

• The Rule of Thirds: Dividing the frame into 9 equal sections to make the picture more appealing to the eye. It might be better used as a guideline.
• Extreme Wide Shots (EWS): Act to establish the area.
• Wide Shots (WS): Show the entire person or area. They are great for establishing the scene and allow for good action of the characters. Sometimes this is known as the long shot.
• Medium Shots (MS): Frame the subject from the waist up. This is the most common shot

... Continue reading "Camera Shots and TV Programming: A Comprehensive Look" »

Types of News

• International
• National
• Regional
• Local
• Personal

Four Things to Describe a Photo

• Place
• Time
• Event
• Circumstances/Background

Standard and Non-Standard Questions

Standard: Questions that you can ask everyone.

Non-standard: Questions that are specific to some people.

Types of Photos and Definitions

• Snaps: When a person takes a photo of another.
• Selfies: When you take a photo of yourself.
• Re-touch: Photoshop.
• Collage: Many photos in a single photo.
• Blow-up: Enlarge the photo.
• Profile Picture: A photo representing a person in a digital profile.
• Shots: Photos.
• Shooting: The act of taking photos.

How to Take Good Photos

1. Shoot level with your subject.
2. Keep your subject away from complicated, detailed, and distracting backgrounds.
3. Don’t be afraid to move in close.

... Continue reading "Mastering Photography: Techniques, Types, and Essays" »

Renaissance Art: Masters and Styles

Italian Renaissance

Sculpture

• Donatello: Revived the classical Greco-Roman style of sculpture that was realistic and could be viewed from all sides. Donatello's David was the first free-standing human sculpture in this period.
• Michelangelo: Painter, sculptor, architect, and poet. Characteristics: Realism, details of the human body, expression, emotion. His works: Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with biblical images of amazing detail, beauty, and power. Creation of Man, Pieta was his most important sculpture.
• Leonardo da Vinci: Painter and sculptor. Characteristics: Incredible realism, emotion, depth, details, expression. His works: The Last Supper shows Jesus' last meeting with the 12 apostles before the crucifixion.

... Continue reading "Renaissance Art: Masters, Styles, and Roman Influence" »

Many people agree that Messi, the historic soccer player, is the best player in the world. Throughout his career, he has been an idol for many people because of his incredible plays and amazing goals.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in the city of Rosario, Argentina. Possessing exceptional technical ability and exceptional speed, since he arrived at F.C. Barcelona at the age of 13, he made an accelerated career through the different categories up to the first team, in which he made his debut at just 16 years old.

Impact Under Pep Guardiola

But his real impact came with the arrival of Pep Guardiola on the Barça bench. During the four seasons in which the coach led the team, his goalscoring statistics reached very... Continue reading "Lionel Messi: The Legacy of a Football Legend" »

Branding Definition

A brand is a name, term, sign, symbol, or design, or a combination of these, used to identify the goods and services of a seller and to differentiate them from competitors. Consumers can easily recognize the brand and its values. Branding serves to identify products and distinguish them. A brand personality is a set of human characteristics associated with a brand name.

Functions of Brand Names

• Create an image and identification for a product
• Make it easy to distinguish products
• Help create effective promotion and advertising
• Guarantee a certain level of quality, quantity, and satisfaction

Benefits of Branding

This encourages repeat purchases through brand loyalty. Branding also helps businesses create product differentiation. Businesses... Continue reading "Branding Fundamentals and Decisions" »

Essential Media and Digital Terminology

Dry Version

A pre-recorded item that includes only the spoken word—that is, no music or sound effects.

Debriefing

A detailed discussion about work that has been done.

Deputy Editor

The second editor in line.

Desktop Publishing (DTP)

Based around a page layout program, which lets you import text from a word processor, clip art from graphics packages, and images from scanners or cameras, arranging them all on a page. It is used to design and publish books, newspapers, posters, advertisements, and more.

Digital Art / Computer Art

Art created with applications that use mathematical formulas to generate beautiful, bright shapes called fractals.

Drop Shadows

The shadow an object creates on a surface.

DivX

A format used... Continue reading "Essential Media and Digital Terminology Defined" »