Literary

Theories and
Literary
Criticism
Objectives

Define literary criticism and the various

literary theories
Differentiate the different literary
theories
Apply the literary theories and criticisms
in reading a work of literature
 Essential Question
How does Literary Criticism help
you point out the merits and
demerits of a text?
 Literary
Theories and
Literary
Criticism
Vocabulary Study
Literary Theory
lens used to better read,
understand, and criticize a text.

Literary Criticism
practical application of a literary
theory.
Vocabulary Study

Literary Theory
frameworks

Literary Criticism
evaluation and interpretation
VISUAL REPRESENTATION
VISUAL REPRESENTATION
 Misconceptions
1
Literary criticism destroys the reading
experience.

2 There is one absolute and correct way of reading,

understanding, and criticizing a text.

3 To criticize is to demerit a text, or to identify

the weaknesses of a text.

4 You can choose any literary theory to criticize a

text.
 Facts
1
Literary criticism can enhance the reading
experience.

2 There are infinite ways of reading,

understanding, and criticizing a text using
different literary theories.

To criticize is to merit and demerit a text, or to

3
identify both the strengths and weaknesses of a
text.

4 You can choose any literary theory to criticize a

text but it must be appropriate.
The Different
Literary
Theories
Literary 1. Literary Traditional Theory
a. Autobiographical/ Authorial Theory
Theories b. Biographical Theory
c. Historical Theory
d. Historical - Biographical Theory
e. Reader- Response Theory
2. Formalism
3. Structuralism
4. Post-modernism
5. Feminism
6. Post-colonialism
7. Marxism
1. Literary Traditional
Theory
1.1 Autobiographical/ Authorial
1.2 Biographical
1.3 Historical
1.4 Historical-Biographical
1.5 Reader-Response
1. Literary Traditional
Theory

focused on the influence of the

author's geographical and
biographical background in a text
 1.1. Autobiographical /
Authorial

focuses on an author’s personal life

and experiences
 1.2. Biographical

detailed analyzation of a famous

personality, public figure, or a
celebrity's background
 1.3. Historical

history; culture and society at a

particular time
1.4. Historical Biographical

combination of historical events and

the character's life
1.5. Reader-Response
Theory

reader's own unique perspective

and experiences
1. Literary Traditional
Theory
1.1 Autobiographical/ Authorial
1.2 Biographical
1.3 Historical
1.4 Historical-Biographical
1.5 Reader-Response
 2. Formalism

content, structure and form

features: grammar, syntax,

structure, and literary devices
3. Structuralism

based on another text

works with similar structure

using intertextuality, genre,
motifs, and other elements
 3. Structuralism

"What big picture is not stated

in the text?"
black fair
beauty
fairing art

false esteem
4. Post Modernism

beauty in chaos and dystopia

possibility of multiple
meanings or a complete lack
of meaning
 5. Feminism

politics of sexes - equality in

socio-political and economic
opportunities
6. Post Colonialism

change in culture after

colonization
 7. Marxism

socio-political issues

real, social, and economic

existence
Literary 1. Literary Traditional Theory
a. Autobiographical/ Authorial Theory
Theories b. Biographical Theory
c. Historical Theory
d. Historical - Biographical Theory
e. Reader- Response Theory
2. Formalism
3. Structuralism
4. Post-modernism
5. Feminism
6. Post-colonialism
7. Marxism
 Essential Question
How does Literary Criticism help
you point out the merits and
demerits of a text?
Objectives

Define literary criticism and the various

literary theories
Differentiate the different literary
theories
Apply the literary theories and criticisms
in reading a work of literature