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?