LITERARY CRITICISM
Questions for a Variety of Approach
I. Formalistic Approach
- Focuses on form
- Analysis stresses items like symbols, images, and
structure and how one part of the work relates to
other parts and to the whole
II. Philosophical Approach
- Focuses on themes, view of the world, moral
statements, author’s philosophy, etc.
III. Biographical Approach
- Focuses on connection of work to author’s personal
experiences
IV. Historical Approach
- Focuses on connection of work to the historical
period in which it was written
-Literary historians attempt to connect the
historical background of the work to specific
aspects of the work
V. Psychological Approach
- Focuses on psychology of characters
VI. Sociological Approach
- Focuses on man’s relationship to others in society,
politics, religion, and business
VII. Archetypal Approach
- Focuses on connections to other literature,
mythological/biblical allusions, archetypal images,
symbols, characters, and themes
VIII. Feminist Criticism
- Examines images of women and concepts of the
feminine in myth and literature
- Uses the psychological, archetypal, and sociological
approaches
- often focuses on female characters who have been
neglected in previous criticism
- attempt to correct or supplement what they regard
as a predominantly male-dominated critical
perspective
IX. Realism
- How the characters play their role realistically
EXPLANATORY ESSAY
- One which describes your views or opinions on a
particular subject/topic.
- As a disclaimer, you do not necessarily have to
concur with the specific subject in real life.
- offer explanations to your audience about the topic
in question.
- referred to an expository essay:
you are expected to offer an analysis of a
given subject
should not include any form of criticism or
argument while offering explanations in the
essay
BASIC OUTLINE OF AN EXPLANATORY ESSAY
Introduction
-Presents the main subject of the discussion and the
thesis statement
Body
- Backs up your thesis statement with factual
evidence, statistics and logic
Conclusion
- Summarizes the key points in your essay and
presents a general statement of conclusion
Introduction
