reading and writing about literature applying critical thinking skills

Reading and Writing Reading and Writing about Literatureabout Literature

Applying critical thinking skillsApplying critical thinking skills

Reading LiteratureReading Literature

Pleasure/Entertainment (passive)Pleasure/Entertainment (passive)

Enlightenment/Education Enlightenment/Education (active)(active)

Active ReadingActive Reading

Previewing (get the general idea)Previewing (get the general idea)– 11stst reading for meaning reading for meaning– Examine physical characteristics of Examine physical characteristics of

structure, wording, dialogue, etc.structure, wording, dialogue, etc.– Consider Title for symbolism or clues Consider Title for symbolism or clues – Observe general contentObserve general content


HighlightingHighlighting– 22ndnd reading for closer analysis reading for closer analysis– Did you miss anything?Did you miss anything?– Vocabulary??Vocabulary??– Identify key detailsIdentify key details– Note relationshipsNote relationships– Further thinking?Further thinking?


AnnotatingAnnotating– 33rdrd Reading for synthesis and evaluation Reading for synthesis and evaluation– Record your reactionsRecord your reactions– Identify allusions, patterns, imageryIdentify allusions, patterns, imagery– Complete Prewriting Strategies for Complete Prewriting Strategies for

LiteratureLiterature

Prewriting Strategies for Prewriting Strategies for LiteratureLiterature

Plot SummaryPlot Summary– ““retell” the material in your own words retell” the material in your own words

using literary vocabularyusing literary vocabulary

This story begins with…The This story begins with…The Protagonist is…The Antagonist is…Protagonist is…The Antagonist is…First the protagonist….then he…First the protagonist….then he…afterwards the antagonist…and afterwards the antagonist…and then…the major conflict seems to then…the major conflict seems to be…and the climax is when…then be…and the climax is when…then the story ends with…the story ends with…


Plot Structure AnalysisPlot Structure Analysis– Identify the narrative phases for greater Identify the narrative phases for greater

understanding of minor incidences and understanding of minor incidences and major eventsmajor events Rising Action/Falling ActionRising Action/Falling Action

ExpositionExposition ComplicationComplication

CrisisCrisis ClimaxClimax

ResolutionResolution

ConclusionConclusion


Scrutiny of SettingScrutiny of Setting– Organize details and associationsOrganize details and associations

Time Period: social, technological, historicalTime Period: social, technological, historical Place/Environment: geographical, physical, Place/Environment: geographical, physical,

general to specificgeneral to specific Props: general objects to personal Props: general objects to personal

belongingsbelongings Appearance: clothing or physical attributes Appearance: clothing or physical attributes


List of CharactersList of Characters– Minor: who, why, traits, impact on story, Minor: who, why, traits, impact on story,

knowledge gained, character labelsknowledge gained, character labels– Major: who, why, traits, impact on story, Major: who, why, traits, impact on story,

knowledge gained, character labelsknowledge gained, character labels

Character LabelsCharacter Labels

ProtagonistProtagonist AntagonistAntagonistFoilFoilHeroHero Anti-HeroAnti-HeroDynamicDynamic StaticStatic


In-Depth Character InvestigationIn-Depth Character Investigation– Consider impressions and search for Consider impressions and search for

textual references to supporttextual references to support

Character’s NameCharacter’s NameImpressionsImpressions EvidenceEvidence


Symbol SearchSymbol Search– List objects, animals, actions, or List objects, animals, actions, or

characters having own identity as well characters having own identity as well as indicating another idea or meaning as indicating another idea or meaning

Item Meaning


Consideration of ThemeConsideration of Theme– Central controlling ideaCentral controlling idea– Dominant messageDominant message– Universal philosophy/observationUniversal philosophy/observation

Recurring conceptsArchetypes

Motifs Metaphors

Irony Satire

Writing about LiteratureWriting about Literature

Planning StagePlanning Stage– Read selectionRead selection– Complete Prewriting ActivitiesComplete Prewriting Activities– Determine a purposeDetermine a purpose– Analyze an audienceAnalyze an audience


Drafting StageDrafting Stage– Develop ideasDevelop ideas– Organize materialOrganize material– Document sourcesDocument sources


Revision StageRevision Stage– Qualities of effective writingQualities of effective writing– Major IlliteraciesMajor Illiteracies– Sentence varietySentence variety– Word choiceWord choice– Quotation selection Quotation selection – Manuscript Format Manuscript Format – ProofreadingProofreading

Reasons for WritingReasons for Writing

Determine Your PurposeDetermine Your Purpose– Writing to RespondWriting to Respond– Writing to InterpretWriting to Interpret– Writing to AnalyzeWriting to Analyze


Writing to interpretWriting to interpret– Theme as revealed by major elementsTheme as revealed by major elements

PlotPlot SettingSetting CharacterCharacter SymbolismSymbolism


Writing to AnalyzeWriting to Analyze– Examine a single elementExamine a single element– Compare two or more worksCompare two or more works– Compare elements of two or more worksCompare elements of two or more works– Apply critical theory Apply critical theory – Trace a common themeTrace a common theme– Consider historical, social, philosophical Consider historical, social, philosophical

influencesinfluences

Reading and Writing Reading and Writing about Literature = Brain about Literature = Brain

Power!Power!

reading and writing about literature applying critical thinking skills

Documents

withprewriting strategies

general objects

literary vocabularythis

physical attributes

character labelsmajor

literatureplot summaryretell

worksapply critical

textual references