Download - Literary criticism overview
Literary Criticism
Getting Started…
What is Literary Criticism?
• An interpretation of a literary work or body of work that is debatable
• A conversation with the written text • An analysis and explication of literary
work(s) using literary concepts • A thesis that presents an arguable
perspective of a literary work.
Dollar, Mark. “Writing about Literature.” The Owl at Purdue. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University, 1995-2007. 2 May 2007. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/575/01/>
Yothers, Brian. “Writing the Literary Analysis” The Owl at Purdue. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University, 1995-2007. 2 May 2007. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/index.html>
Criticism deals with Literary Elements
• Theme• Tone• Style• Plot
• Point of View• Characterization• Setting• Genre
Yothers, Brian. “Writing the Literary Analysis” The Owl at Purdue. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University, 1995-2007. 2 May 2007.<http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/index.html>
A Great Topic is…Researchable
Time
Task requirements
Relevant Sources
Contemplate the text. Brainstorm ideas.
Generate lots of ideas that fit the task.
Choose the 1 idea that most appeals to you.
• What sources are available to add to my understanding?
• What sources help me to develop my argument and support my assertions?
Read … to answer these questions:
• What do I already know?
• What do I need to know to fully understand this topic?
• What do experts say about this topic?
Explore … to answer these questions:
How do I write a Literary Analysis?• Focus on specific aspects of the text• Create a clear and arguable point about this
feature of the text• Defend this position with reasons and evidence
drawn from the text• Use:
– Quotes, summaries and paraphrase from the text– Other critics’ opinions and literary theories– Historical, political and social context as well as
knowledge of the authors’ own life
Yothers, Brian. “Writing the Literary Analysis” The Owl at Purdue. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University, 1995-2007. 2 May 2007.<http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/index.html>
Which and where are the BEST sources for Literary Criticism?
R is for Relevance
A is for Accuracy
Check your facts.
Separate opinions from facts.
Credit sources of ideas and opinions.
D is for Details
Be sure to include all the key components of the topic.
Piece the ideas together logically, to create a powerful argument.
Develop each main idea by providing details to explain, illustrate and explore the concepts thoroughly.
C is for Currency
Define the time that is RELEVANT to your topic. Use that information to limit or broaden your search. Be sure to include information and sources that represent the full range of time RELEVANT to your topic.
A is for Authority
A person with a high degree of skill in or
knowledge of a certain subject.
Expert
AUTHORITY
ExpertiseHaving, involving, or demonstrating great
skill, dexterity, or knowledge as the result
of experience or training.
Proficient SkilledHaving or marked by an advanced degree of competence, as in an art, vocation, profession, or branch of learning.
Having or showing skill; expert. Requiring specialized ability or training: a skilled trade.
B is for Bias
Pro Neutral
Con
An opinion that deviates from the neutral has bias.
Which and where are the BEST sources for Literary Criticism?
Search terms to consider:
– “literary criticism”– criticism, – text title,– author’s name,– idea [literary movement, genre, literary
element, literary device, concept], – “critical essay”
Databases →
Areas of Interest↙
Gale/CengageEBSCO
ProquestInfoBase Ebooks
Books, magazines, academic journals, critical essays, newspaper articles, video, audio, images Books
Academic One File
World Literature
and its Ti
mes
Novels for Students
Drama for Students
Short Stories for Students
Poetry for Students
Twayne'
s United
States
Authors Series
Twayne's
English
Authors
Twayne's
Masterwork Studie
s
Twayne's
World Author
s Series
Gale Contextual Encyclopedia of American Literature
Gale Contextual Encyclopedia of World Literature
Literary Reference Center
Literary Reference Center PlusLiterary Reference Center Plus
UMI / PROQUEST
ProQuest Learning: Literature
Encyclopedia of Literary Romanticism
Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature,
Authors √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √Texts √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Themes √ √ √ √Historical Context √ √ √ √ √ √ √
√
Plot summary √
√
Reviews √ √
Which and where are the BEST sources for Literary Criticism?