Conclusion

Having read the three introductory articles, defined some key terms, researched a specific approach, and worked with your group to teach an approach to the class, you should have a clear basic understanding of literary criticism and theory. As you listen to other groups present, be sure to take notes. Hopefully, as you learn more about literary criticism and apply it to your own reading and writing, you will come to understand the value of different approaches.

Remember, literary criticism helps reader to look more closely at particular details within a piece of literature. Using different forms of criticism helps us to understand a text from multiple perspectives and on a number of different levels.

What unique perspective do you bring to a text?

What form of criticism do you find yourself using most? 

Credits

• Evaluating the Narrator presented by Professor John Lye -http://www.brocku.ca/english/courses/2F55/pt_of_view.html
• Awakening to Literary Theory by Melissa Owen - http://www.scs.k12.tn.us/STT99_WQ/STT99/Bolton_HS/owenm2/owen/stlitthry.htm
• The Topic: Literary Criticism by 42eXplore - http://www.42explore.com/litcrit.htm
• A Glossary of Theoretical Terms with Examples -www.uky.edu/ArtsSciences/Classics/rhetoric.html
• Glossary of Lit. Terms - www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm
• Literary Terms and Definitions - guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/wheeler/lit_terms.html
• Critical Approaches to Literature by John B. Padgett - http://home.olemiss.edu/~egjbp/200/litcrit.txt
• Skylar Hamilton Burris - http://www.literatureclassics.com/ancientpaths/litcrit.html

More Information on Literary Criticism:

• Humanism and Literary Theory - http://www.colorado.edu/English/ENGL2012Klages/humanism.html  **A good in depth look at the history and formation of various types of literary theory.  Excellent background information.
• Literary Critical Theory Background - http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/crit.intro.html **Presented by Professor Michael of Washington State University, this site provides insight into various approaches to literary criticism.