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Writing about literature can be challenging even for students
who enjoy reading. Many students who did well in high school
literature courses find themselves unprepared for the kind
of writing expected by college English instructors. In college,
instructors demand more than a summary of what a book or story
is "about" or a personal impression of what a poem "means."
CRITICAL READING
Whether your topic is a poem, play, short story, or novel
-- critical writing depends on critical reading:
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Read any biographical or background information
The more you know about the writer or the background
of the work, the more prepared you will be to appreciate
the writer's ideas. Refer to an encyclopedia, examine
literary resources, or search the Internet. |
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Read the work more than once
In the second reading, move beyond on understanding
simply what happens to what the work means and how the
writer develops theme, plot, conflict, and character. |
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Develop a topic by asking questions
* What is the author's main point?
* Who are the main characters?
* What conflict does the main character face?
* Do characters seem to represent something larger
-- a group of people or an idea?
* How is the conflict resolved?
* Are there dominant moods or impressions? How
are they created?
* Does the author use any special effects such
as flashbacks or different narrators?
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NARROWING THE TOPIC
In writing about literature, it is not necessary to attempt
to write about the entire work or even comment on all the
actions and thoughts of the main character. Most papers --
even research papers -- do not provide enough space to address
more than one or two narrow points.
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Comment on a key scene or passage
Rather than write a paper that tries to explain an entire
story or play, comment on one scene. Select a passage
that reveals something about the character, expresses
the writer's attitude toward the subject, or sets up
a conflict. Read the passage aloud to gain a new
perspective on the work. Often hearing words and phrases
can provide insight into the author's intent, a character's
attitude, or the work's style.
* What does Hamlet's first soliloquy capture?
* What do Jay Gatsby's lavish parties represent?
* At what point in A Separate Peace does
the narrator's attitude about Phineas change?
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Analyze a minor character
Major characters can resist analysis. Select a minor
character and study the role he or she plays in the
plot. Does this character serve as a foil or contrasting
element to the hero? Does this character serve as a
spokesperson for a point of view?
* What does Polonius represent?
* The Great Gatsby ends in a murder-suicide.
Why does Gatsby's death overshadow that of his killer?
What does George Wilson represent? Is he also a victim?
* What does Brinker represent about the way young
people responded to World War II?
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Analyze a particular theme or technique
Read through the work and note how the author uses a
prevailing pattern of imagery.
* How does Shakespeare use imagery to describe the
corruption in Denmark?
* How does Fitzgerald use the device of Nick Carroway,
the narrator, develop the elusive character of Jay Gatsby?
* How does John Knowles describe the prep school?
Is it an oasis during the violence of World War II?
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Remember that a work of literature is not like a piece of
abstract art that means whatever you want it to. You must
base your opinions and analysis on the text.
USING LITERARY CRITICISM
Search the Modern Language Association's abstracts online
or in print to locate sources about the author, the work,
or the literary technique. Many of the articles you will find
may be very technical and may not match your subject. Consider
using biographical sources about the author or historical
or psychological books and articles about your subject:
You can use psychological sources to analyze a character's
actions or situation. Review information about suicide to
discuss Willy Loman's final act in Death of a Salesman.
You can use historical sources to analyze a character or
plot: Review black history to provide insight into the social
background of Invisible Man or Native Son.
Above all, make sure that your paper does more than summarize
the plot.
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