Literary Criticism
- Is the comparison,
analysis, interpretation,
&/or evaluation of works of
literature. It is essentially
an opinion, supported by
evidence, relating to the
theme, style, setting, or
historical, or political
context.
Helps us in three ways:
1.It helps us understand
what is essential about the
text.
2.it allows us to see the
relationship between
author, reader, and texts.
3.It enhances the
enjoyment of our reading
of literary work.
FUNCTIONS OF
LITERARY CRITICISM:
1.To analyze, study,
evaluate works of
literature.
2.To form general
principles for the
examination of works of
literature.
The Text is placed in the
center because all
approaches must deal with
it.
Formalism &
deconstruction are placed
under it because they deal
primarily with the text & not
w/ any of the outside
considerations such as the
author, the real world,
audience, or other
literature.
Deconstructionists are also
subject text to careful,
formal analysis; however,
they reach an opposite
conclusion: there is no
meaning in language.
Historical approach relies
heavily on the author & his
world. In the historical view
it is important to
understand his intent & to
make sense of his work.
Inter-textual approach is
concerned w/ comparing
the work in question to
other literature, to get a
broader picture.
Reader-response is
concerned w/ how the
work is viewed by the
audience. In this approach,
the reader creates
meaning, not the author or
the work.
Mimetic criticism seeks to
see how well a work
accords w/ the real world.
Archetypal criticism
assumes that there is a
collection of symbols,
images, characters, &
motifs that evoke basically
the same response in all
people which seem to bind
them regardless of culture
& race worldwide.
Psychological criticism
attempts to explain the
behavioral underpinnings
of the characters within the
selection, analyzing the
actions & under any of the
identifiable neuroses,
whether a psychological
disorder is evident among
them.
Marxist criticism concerns
the analysis of the clash of
opposing social classes in
society, namely; the ruling
class (bourgeoisie) & the
working class (proletariat)
as it shaped the events
that transpired in the story.
Feminist criticism concerns
w/ the woman’s role in
society as portrayed
through texts. It typically
analyzes the lights of
women as depicted in the
story.
Pronouns
-Personal
-Possessive
-Reflexive
-Relative
-Demonstrative
Personal Pronouns
-Take the place of nouns.
-I, me, us, we, you, he,
him, she, her, it, them,
they.
-Ex: Leanne would’ve
been the perfect role for
Gaston, but she isn’t a
man.
Possessive Pronouns
-Take the place of
possessive nouns.
-My, mine, ours, your,
yours, his ,her, hers, their,
theirs, its.
-Ex: Larah was great in her
performance.
Reflexive Pronouns
-Refer or reflect back to
the subject.
-myself, ourselves,
yourself, yourselves,
himself, herself,
themselves, itself.
-Ex: Micha wasn’t acting
like herself this morning?
Relative Pronouns
-Introduce relative clauses.
-That, who, whom, whose,
which, whoever,
whomever, whichever.
-Ex: Micha made a
mistake which could’ve
been avoided.
Demonstrative Pronouns
-Take the place of things
-This, that, these, those
-Ex: Whatever THAT is,
isn’t Larah.
Indefinite Pronouns
-Take the place of
unspecified nouns.
-Another, all, any, anybody,
anyone, anything, both,
each, either, enough,
everybody, everyone,
everything, few, fewer,
less, little, many, more,
most, much, neither, none,
nothing, one, other, others,
several, some, somebody,
someone, something such.
-Ex: Leanne heard
something from the other
room…
Interrogative Pronouns
-Take the place of things.
-Who, whom, what, which,
whose
-Ex: Whose poster did you
vote for in Grade 9?
Coherence & Cohesion
Cohesion - refers to
connection within &
between sentences. We
“tie” our words, phrases,
sentences, & paragraphs
together, to create a text
w/ clear & logical ideas.
Cohesive Writing - refers
to the connection of your
ideas both at the sentence
level & the paragraph
level.
Coherence - means that all
ideas in a paragraph flow
smoothly from one
sentence to the text.
Cohesive Devices:
1.Repetition of a Key
term or Phrase.
-This helps focus on your
ideas & keep your readers
on track.
-Ex: The problem w/
contemporary art is that it
is not easily understood by
most people.
Contemporary art is
deliberately abstract, &
that means it leaves the
viewer wondering what
she is looking at.
2.Synonyms
-Are words that have
essentially the same
meaning, and they provide
some variety in your word
choices, helping the reader
to stay focused on the idea
being discussed.
-Ex: Myths narrate sacred
histories & explain sacred
origins. These traditional
narratives are, in short, a
set of beliefs that are a
very real force in the lives
of the people who tell
them.
3.Pronouns
-This, that, these, those,
he, she, it, they, & we are
useful pronouns for
referring back to
something previously
mentioned. Be sure,
however, that what you are
referring to is clear.
Ex: When scientific
experiments do not work
out as expected, they are
often considered failures
until some other scientist
tries them again. Those
that work out better the
second time around are
the ones that promise the
most rewards.
4.Transitional Words
-There are many words in
English that cue our reader
to relationships between
sentences, joining
sentences together.
-Ex: however, therefore, in
addition, also, but
moreover, again, besides,
& then, in addition to,
compared with, in
comparison with, similarly,
again, likewise,
nevertheless, instead,
granted, certainly, it may
be the case, on the,
contrary, etc.
Speech
-To deliver or communicate
information in front of a live
audience.
-Usually done in a formal
setting or as part of a
formal event.
-Conveys purposefully
which aims to inform,
influence, or entertain a
large group of audience.
Prepared Speech
-The speaker is given the
topic beforehand.
-Has time to research
about the topic.
-Is able to rehearse or
practice prior to delivering
the speech.
Impromptu Speech
-The speaker is given w/
little or no time to prepare.
-No chance to research
about it or even make an
outline as a guide.
-one must be able to fully
gather their thoughts.
-focus on the issue or topic
at hand.
-maintain composure.
Techniques in Public
Speaking:
1.Know your purpose.
-Being sure on the
purpose of your speech is
synonymous to knowing
where to focus your
discussion.
-It may be as basic as to
inform, persuade, or
inspire.
2.Be familiar w/ your topic.
-The best way to do this is
to research.
-When you are sure of
every piece of information
you are presenting, you
will be more confident.
3.Know your audience.
-It is essential to be sure of
the kind of people you will
be speaking to.
-Knowing your audience
will help you plan the
appropriate content,
language, & techniques to
use.
4.Plan ahead of time.
-Cramming will reflect on
the way you speak &
behave in front of the
audience.
5.Use non-verbal cues.
-The right amount of
gestures at the right time
are key elements of public
speaking as these
movements help convey
ideas more clearly.
-Establish eye contact w/
your audience.
6.Remain calm.
-Don’t show signs of
nervousness.
-Maintain your composure.
7.Practice.
-Practice is a major
component of planning.
-Through constant
practice, one may be able
to identify areas that can
be improved.
anyways….