How to Solve Japanese Literature Sentiment Questions: 'Diagnosing' with a 2x2 Pattern

"Teacher, how... how should I read these sentiment questions?"
This is a question that students always ask in Japanese class.

While thinking about how to teach this, I realized something.
"Isn't this the same structure as a doctor's diagnosis?"

Sentiment questions can be deciphered using a 'diagnostic process'.

A doctor's diagnosis is performed in three steps.

Japanese literature sentiment questions are exactly the same.

In other words, by looking at 'where the question creator drew the line' and what they are trying to find out, you can tell whether the doctor is reading the symptoms, the disease name, or the cause, and what information is needed.

The true nature of the four patterns: Deciding whether to read 'symptoms, disease name, or cause'

Sentiment questions are divided into 2x2 = 4 patterns based on whether the line is drawn under words/actions or sentiment, and whether it is an explanation question or a reason question.

① Line under <words/actions> + explanation → A question explaining the 'meaning' of the symptoms

It is the same as a doctor looking at a patient's cough and inferring the disease name from the 'meaning of the symptoms,' saying, 'This cough indicates that the throat inflammation has progressed. It's a cold.'

In Japanese class, too,
Underlined part ① "...did this"
→ Explain what kind of feeling this action represents.
This is how it is asked.
It is a question that derives the disease name (sentiment) behind the symptoms (action).

② Line under <words/actions> + reason → A question asking why these symptoms appeared

This is similar to a doctor looking at a cough and explaining the disease name including the 'cause,' saying, 'The reason you are coughing is that a virus entered your trachea and caused a cold...'

Underlined part ② "...said this"
→ Why did they speak like this?
You must answer with the 'background event = cause' that led to the action (symptom) and the sentiment.

In many cases, the reason for an action is hidden in the preceding event or how the other person's words were received.
Since it is a sentiment question, you must also answer the sentiment.

③ Line under <sentiment> + explanation → A question explaining the 'content' of the disease name

Even if you are told, 'You are in a state of dehydration,' it doesn't quite click.
The doctor adds,
'In other words, your body lacks water, which is causing lethargy and headaches.'

This is sentiment question ③.
Underlined part ③ "was anxious"
→ Specifically, what kind of state is 'anxious'?

A problem of concretizing abstract terms for a diagnosis (sentiment) from the text.
We will explain the details of who felt what way about what.

(4) Underline the <sentiment> + reason -> Why did that illness occur? (Asking for the cause)

The 'reasons' for dehydration are things like not drinking water, sweating, or being in a high-temperature environment.
It is the same for sentiment questions.
Underlined part (4) 'I thought it was sad'
-> Why is it sad?
Search the text for the cause that gave birth to the sentiment (diagnosis).

The 'events immediately preceding' the sentiment, which are often written near the sentiment word, are the key.

The moment Japanese language becomes science

Students who are bad at sentiment questions tend to read by 'relying on intuition' or 'reading based on a vague atmosphere'.

However, when the structure is visualized using the 'diagnosis metaphor',
- Actions are symptoms, so they are on the outside
- Sentiments are diagnoses, so they are on the inside
- Reasons are causes, so they are situations or events
the perspective for reading comprehension is organized all at once.

This is the moment Japanese language becomes science.

I also have an article on how to infer sentiment in my post about how to read novels.
Please read that as well if you would like.

Sentiment questions can be solved by reading with 'diagnostic procedures'

Sentiment questions are not questions about 'guessing feelings'.

- Observe symptoms (words and actions)
- Determine the diagnosis (sentiment)
- Identify the cause (events in the text)

It is exactly the same as a doctor's way of thinking.
The heart cannot be seen. But symptoms can be seen.

Once you understand that, sentiment questions will no longer be something you 'solve by intuition'.