1. Introduction to American Literature

2. Predict: What are critical lenses?

3. Critical Lens Viewpoints to consider something
Can affect your perception and reading
Allow you to notice details you might have missed
Can lead you to unexpected insights about a writer and his/her work

4. Literary Lens The one you're used to using
Focuses your attention on the author's style and on other elements (plot, setting, character, theme, etc.)

5. Literary Lens Questions to Ask
What is unique about this author's style?
How do the plot, characters, and setting help to communicate the author's message?
How are language and imagery used to support the themes?

6. Historical and Cultural Lenses
Help you consider how elements of history and culture may have influenced the author and the writing

7. Historical and Cultural Lenses Questions to Ask:
What was going on in the country at the time this work was written?
What attitudes, trends, and priorities characterized the times?
How are those events and attitudes, and the author's reactions to them, reflected in the writing?

8. Biographical Lens
Draws you into the arena of an author's personal life
Consider a writer's heritage, experiences, and economic circumstances to help you read into a piece with more insight

9. Other Lenses
Psychological
Social
Political
Philosophical/moral

10. Other Lenses Questions to Ask:
What motivations might be influencing a character's behavior? (psychological)
Are the characters' choices, behavior, and actions ethical and honest? (philosophical/moral)

11. Grab a partner (if you wish) and book!
Read the excerpt from The Great Gatsby
Answer the Close Read questions in the margins on page 7 and 8 (7 total)

12. Your turn! :)
Select any three pieces of literature you've read (and can recall somewhat well).
Explore each of those pieces of literature from one of the critical lenses
Answer the questions listed for each lens (as found in this PPT)

13. Literary Movements Analyze the chart on pages 4-5
With your same partner, select a literary movement
Brainstorm a list of the tensions and triumphs of the day that writers would have been most likely to chronicle during the literary movement you selected
Use your existing knowledge of history  
Use the technology you brought with you to class
Devise a list of literary works that were created during your selected time period