Republic of the Philippines

DAVAO DE ORO STATE COLLEGE

Compostela, Davao de Oro

Name: Gelhmar J. Saberon

Instructor: Sherly Villamor

A. Course Code and Title:

ELE 23 – Literary Criticism

Answer each question in three to four sentences only. Please see the uploaded
rubric for short essay question.

1. Why do we study Literature?

We study literature to develop an in-depth understanding of the ways we use

language to make sense of the world, make judgments, and develop critical thinking
and other higher-order thinking skills that are beneficial in the field. Other than that,
we study literature for entertainment that subconsciously allows us to have a greater
appreciation of the literary works we read, the history that is recorded, and the culture
that we have. It is not the simple appreciation, but a greater one where we analyze,
evaluate, or make judgments over the works in literature. On that account, we do study
literature overall for it brings us a deeper knowledge, understanding, and appreciation
of the past that we can apply in the future.

2. Does literary criticism aids reading comprehension? Justify your answer

In as much as one is in need to analyze, evaluate, and try to reach a logical

and reasonable understanding of what he read just as literary criticism does, reading
comprehension is in aid. Starting from reading between the lines up to analyzing,
including attempting to reach a critical understanding of the text, in terms of their
social, political, and cultural dimensions, there’s no doubt about it. Indeed, literary
criticism aids more than just reading comprehension itself, but also critical thinking
concerning the tasks literary critics are doing, with that said.
 Republic of the Philippines
DAVAO DE ORO STATE COLLEGE
Compostela, Davao de Oro

3. What is the purpose of Literary Criticism?

The purpose of Literary Criticism is merely not for the students to interpret
literary texts through different theoretical perspectives, but to evade the hotly-debated
notion that the study of literature is threatened. If you try to see the bigger picture,
literary criticism is not only for the purpose to equip students with higher-order thinking
skills, like what the course is trying to achieve, because critics see Literary Criticism
as having a purpose to stand against the rise of new media that is threatening
literature. Therefore, it is clear that the purpose of literary criticism does not focus only
on one subject that everyone usually understood, but it does something more about
valuing literature.