Formalist Criticism: This approach regards literature as “a unique form of human knowledge that needs

to be examined on its own terms.” All the elements necessary for understanding the work are contained
within the work itself. Of particular interest to the formalist critic are the elements of form—style,
structure, tone, imagery, etc.—that are found within the text. A primary goal for formalist critics is to
determine how such elements work together with the text’s content to shape its effects upon readers.

Formalist Criticism
Imagery Form Style Structure Tone
A language that Prose – Sentence, One of many It is the way that A quality, feeling,
causes people to paragraph. different ways in the paper is built, or attitude
imagine pictures Poetry – which something arranged or expressed by the
in their mind. Combined lines, is seen, organized. words that
stanza. experienced or For example. someone uses in
produced. It is Freeverse. the writer’s work.
when the paper is It is what are the
formal, informal author want to
or casual. convey by using
his/her word.