1. External Source: This refers to any information or ideas that come from outside the text itself. This could include:
* Research: Using books, articles, websites, interviews, etc. to gather information on a topic.
* Historical Context: Understanding the time period, culture, and events surrounding the text to better interpret its meaning.
* Author's Life: Knowing about the author's personal experiences, beliefs, and motivations can provide insight into the work.
* Literary Criticism: Examining how other scholars have interpreted the text can offer new perspectives.
2. External Conflict: In literature, this refers to a struggle between a character and something outside themselves, such as:
* Nature: A character battling a storm or wild animals.
* Society: A character fighting against oppressive laws or social norms.
* Other Characters: A character facing an enemy or rival.
3. External Appearance: This can refer to the physical description of a character, setting, or object.
4. External Dialogue: This describes dialogue that occurs between characters, as opposed to internal monologue, which is a character's thoughts.
Examples:
* "The student used external sources to support their argument."
* "The protagonist faces external conflict when their family disapproves of their love interest."
* "The author uses vivid descriptions of the external appearance of the characters to create a believable world."
* "The play features external dialogue that reveals the characters' motivations and relationships."
Ultimately, the meaning of "external" in language arts will depend on the specific context. It's important to consider the surrounding information to understand its precise usage.