Literary Criticism Research 11AP Literary Criticism Paper

What is a Literary Criticism? The word criticism refers to the process of thinking critically about and evaluating a text; you are not required to give a negative evaluation of a work. In fact, there is a strong tradition in literary criticism that seeks to identify what is good about a text and to highlight it for the attention of others. Literary criticism, therefore, is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature.

Library Time 1.You will be learning about how to find the research you need for your paper. 2.You must print out all articles that you may use for your paper for annotating purposes, which I will be checking. 3.The first step of this paper is figuring out what you want to write about (your argument regarding your novel), as well as finding evidence to support it (literary criticism and novel quotes).

Research Requirements: Step One You must obtain 5 different pieces of criticism for this paper. All materials must be printed. Your sixth source will be your novel. Within your final paper you will have to use a minimum of five sources total. The first step of this process is figuring out which theme and style components you will write about, then finding outside criticism support. The articles that you find, you must annotate for quotes that you can use as potential CD’s (evidence to support your thesis/argument/claim). Your CD’s, therefore, will be quotes from your novel, and quotes from outside research that support the claims you are making regarding your book’s style and theme(s). You must obtain 5 different pieces of criticism for this paper. All materials must be printed. Your sixth source will be your novel. Within your final paper you will have to use a minimum of five sources total. The first step of this process is figuring out which theme and style components you will write about, then finding outside criticism support. The articles that you find, you must annotate for quotes that you can use as potential CD’s (evidence to support your thesis/argument/claim). Your CD’s, therefore, will be quotes from your novel, and quotes from outside research that support the claims you are making regarding your book’s style and theme(s).

THEME(S) Find quotes to support the following: Major theme(s): The theme refers to the book’s controlling idea or central insight. Identify and discuss the work’s central theme. Secondary themes may influence the impact of the work as well. Analyze the effect of any secondary theme or leitmotif in the work. Generally the theme of the work is not a topic. Because of this, express the theme in a statement rather than a word such as “Loyalty to country often inspires heroic self-sacrifice.” Find quotes to support the following: Major theme(s): The theme refers to the book’s controlling idea or central insight. Identify and discuss the work’s central theme. Secondary themes may influence the impact of the work as well. Analyze the effect of any secondary theme or leitmotif in the work. Generally the theme of the work is not a topic. Because of this, express the theme in a statement rather than a word such as “Loyalty to country often inspires heroic self-sacrifice.”

STYLE ANALYSIS: Choose 3-4 Find quotes to support any of the following: Syntax: Word order, pattern – Analysis of sentence and phrase patterns. Are the sentences simple or complex? What is the sentence length? Level of formality? Fragments? Rhetorical questions? Parallel structure? Repetitions? Are any sentences loose pr periodic? Is there variety in the sentence pattern? How does the author use syntax to enhance effect and support meaning? What effect is he/she creating? Do these choices help define character, set tone, further theme, etc. Tone: Author’s attitude toward subject, characters, society, and reader. Is the tone playful? Serious? Angry, ironic, formal, somber, satiric? How does the author create tone through plot, diction, syntax, imagery, and figurative devices? What are the complementary tones? Character Analysis: Flat/round? Static/dynamic? Believable? Protagonist/antagonist? Character foils? Role of minor characters? Consider the function of the character(s) in the novel and identify appropriated quotes which the nature of the character in the work. Find quotes to support any of the following: Syntax: Word order, pattern – Analysis of sentence and phrase patterns. Are the sentences simple or complex? What is the sentence length? Level of formality? Fragments? Rhetorical questions? Parallel structure? Repetitions? Are any sentences loose pr periodic? Is there variety in the sentence pattern? How does the author use syntax to enhance effect and support meaning? What effect is he/she creating? Do these choices help define character, set tone, further theme, etc. Tone: Author’s attitude toward subject, characters, society, and reader. Is the tone playful? Serious? Angry, ironic, formal, somber, satiric? How does the author create tone through plot, diction, syntax, imagery, and figurative devices? What are the complementary tones? Character Analysis: Flat/round? Static/dynamic? Believable? Protagonist/antagonist? Character foils? Role of minor characters? Consider the function of the character(s) in the novel and identify appropriated quotes which the nature of the character in the work.

STYLE ANALYSIS Find quotes to support any of the following: Imagery/Detail: Word or phrases that appeal to the five senses. Figure of speech: A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement. Symbolism: When an image is used to suggest complex or multiple meanings. Is the novel highly symbolic? Allegorical? Archetypal? What function does the symbolism serve? Diction: Analyze the author’s word choices. Is the language informal, formal, or neutral? Give examples. Does the author use imagery, metaphoric, or ironic devices? Are the words plain? Flowery? Concise? Strong? Colloquial? Lyrical? Does the diction reflect social status, education, and region? How much dialogue is used? Are their distinctive differences in dialogue between characters? Form, Structure, and Plot: How is the novel organized? What is the length? Chapters? Discuss techniques such as flashbacks, or dream sequences, stream of consciousness, epistolary form, importance of the setting, chronological order of events, foreshadowing, parallel events, multiple, complex or simple plot. How much time is covered? Compare and contrast the beginning and ending. Find quotes to support any of the following: Imagery/Detail: Word or phrases that appeal to the five senses. Figure of speech: A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement. Symbolism: When an image is used to suggest complex or multiple meanings. Is the novel highly symbolic? Allegorical? Archetypal? What function does the symbolism serve? Diction: Analyze the author’s word choices. Is the language informal, formal, or neutral? Give examples. Does the author use imagery, metaphoric, or ironic devices? Are the words plain? Flowery? Concise? Strong? Colloquial? Lyrical? Does the diction reflect social status, education, and region? How much dialogue is used? Are their distinctive differences in dialogue between characters? Form, Structure, and Plot: How is the novel organized? What is the length? Chapters? Discuss techniques such as flashbacks, or dream sequences, stream of consciousness, epistolary form, importance of the setting, chronological order of events, foreshadowing, parallel events, multiple, complex or simple plot. How much time is covered? Compare and contrast the beginning and ending.

Argument/Thesis Example for this paper: In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury disparages the growing dependence on technology and the deterioration of an ignorant society using symbolism and repetition as well as contrasting the characters Guy Montag and his wife Mildred to further emphasize the destructive nature of machinery and human insatiability. What is the theme(s) and how is your author elucidating this theme? In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury disparages the growing dependence on technology and the deterioration of an ignorant society using symbolism and repetition as well as contrasting the characters Guy Montag and his wife Mildred to further emphasize the destructive nature of machinery and human insatiability. What is the theme(s) and how is your author elucidating this theme?