Critique a Literary Selection | Literary Approaches || GRADE 10 | MELC-based VIDEO LESSON | QUARTER3

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of critiquing a literary selection using various literary approaches. Understanding literary criticism is essential for analyzing texts in a deeper way, which is particularly relevant for Grade 10 students. This step-by-step guide will simplify the concepts and provide actionable steps to enhance your critical reading skills.

Step 1: Understand Literary Criticism

• Familiarize yourself with the definition of literary criticism. It involves evaluating and interpreting literary works.
• Recognize the purpose of literary criticism:
  • To analyze a text's themes, characters, and structure.
  • To discern the author's intentions and the cultural context.
• Explore different approaches to literary criticism:
  • Formalist Approach: Focus on the text’s form and structure.
  • Historical Approach: Contextualizes the work within its historical period.
  • Biographical Approach: Examines how the author's life influences their writing.
  • Feminist Approach: Analyzes texts through the lens of gender dynamics.
  • Marxist Approach: Looks at class relations and social conflict within the text.

Step 2: Choose a Literary Selection

• Select a literary work to critique. This can be a novel, short story, poem, or play.
• Consider the following when choosing:
  • Your interest in the genre or author.
  • The availability of supporting materials or critiques.
  • Length and complexity of the text.

Step 3: Read the Text Critically

• Engage in active reading:
  • Take notes on themes, characters, and any literary devices used.
  • Highlight passages that stand out or provoke thought.
• Ask questions as you read:
  • What message is the author trying to convey?
  • How do the characters develop throughout the story?
  • What is the significance of the setting?

Step 4: Apply a Literary Approach

• Select one or more literary approaches to apply to your critique. Here’s how to integrate them:
  • Formalist: Analyze the structure, style, and literary devices.
  • Historical: Research the historical context of the work and its impact.
  • Biographical: Look into the author's background and how it reflects in their work.
  • Feminist/Marxist: Focus on gender roles or class struggles depicted in the text.
• Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

Step 5: Write Your Critique

• Organize your critique with a clear structure:
  • Introduction: Introduce the work and your thesis statement.
  • Body: Discuss your analysis using the chosen approaches, supported by evidence from the text.
  • Conclusion: Summarize your findings and reflect on the overall impact of the literary work.
• Revise your critique for clarity and coherence.

Conclusion

Literary criticism is a powerful tool for understanding and interpreting texts. By following these steps, you can develop a structured approach to critique literature effectively. Start by choosing a work you enjoy and apply the literary approaches discussed. Practice will enhance your skills and deepen your appreciation for literature. Consider exploring other resources or video lessons to further expand your knowledge in writing techniques and literary analysis.