Aguide

toLiteraryAnalysis

MANY MODELS, MANY PEOPLE Find the way of looking at literature that works

best for you, but consider all options.

AT THE MOST BASIC LEVEL… Any literary analysis is the interplay between the author,

the reader, the text / work, and the rest of the world(culture, time, nation, human experience..).

Usually results in a formal, written analysis involving thereader’s theory of the author’s intent with supportingevidence from the text.

HOW TO READ LITERATURE The process of reading

any genre is similar- How did the author

invite you in? Who are the

characters? Why dothey do what they do?

What is the main storyarc or narrative?

Look for clues as tohow the author wantsthis work interpreted.

What is the significanceof this work beyondtime, place, class,culture?

BLOOM & THE PROCESS Levels of complex

thinking During reading

and during writing Evaluate =

analysis

SCHOOLS OF LITERARY CRITICISM Know all of them, use what works best for that

particular piece of literature. Different lenses on the same world.

Break it Apart - Use one lens - Art imitates life - comparison

IMPACT - LITERARY ANALYSIS

FOUR KEY PLAYERS Reader

Response= yourperceptions, gutinstinct,experience, is ofprimary concern.

The text = facts ofthe poem / story /play / novel.

The author’s intent Literary criticism Happy mediums…

THETEST: DOES

ITREALLYWORK?