1. Writing about Literature

2. We do not claim that literature makes a reader wiser or better, but we do claim that it opens a reader’s eyes to points of view, to states of feeling, that we might not have been aware of. Barnet & Cain

3. Why write about literature?
To clarify and to account for our responses to works that interest or excite or frustrate us
to deepen understanding of literary works by reading in greater depth than normal
to communicate your views and interpretation of the literature to others
to provide additional practice in writing clearly and persuasively
Why write about literature?

4. Who should I write for? Consider your audience
age/maturity/educational level
cultural background
will your audience have read the work you are writing about

5. What approach shall I use?
1. Focus on a single literary work.
explication
analysis

6. 2. Comparison and contrast - discuss the similarities and differences between two works.
plot
theme
literary value
subject matter

7. 3. Discuss a number of works by a single author:
focus on unique characteristics in the author's writing,
examine the author's growth as a writer through a study of the works,
examine how the author's life experience affected his/her work.

8. 4. Discuss a number of works with something in common other than the author.

9. 5. React to the message in the literature
5. React to the message in the literature. Write a paper either challenging or supporting the theme of the literary piece(s) you are referencing.

10. Writing the Paper Read and study the assigned literature (take notes)
Think about the information gained from the reading; let it incubate a few days 
Brainstorm - Jot down a list
Follow the rest of the steps in the process approach to writing.
Writing the Paper