Assignment 4:  LITERARY CRITICISM: EXPERT PROJECT

 

Objective: In the next two weeks you are expected to become an expert on a critical approach to literature, also known as a paradigm, and then learn 8 other paradigms from your fellow experts in the class. Follow the steps to success below!

 

Step 1:  Using library, school, and home computers RESEARCH your critical approach

well enough that you understand it and could teach it to your fellow classmates.

Step 2: Answer the EXPERT QUESTIONS listed below that will help you test your

understanding of your type of criticism. Turn in your thoughtful response.

Step 3:  Create a helpful and visually pleasing HANDOUT that defines your literary

criticism, 5 key words, and answers the expert questions briefly (1-2 sentences!).

Step 4:  Choose an excerpt from a text (choose from “A & P”, “Indian Education”, or

Slaughterhouse Five. Then, CRITIQUE this passage using your literary criticism (marking up a transparency in 3 places) for presentation.

Step 5: TEACH your critical approach to the class using your research and handouts.

Then, model your approach by presenting your examined excerpt for the class.  Turn in all research and notes, so that it can be graded and kept in expert folders for use throughout the year.

Step 6: You will be responsible for LEARNING the various literary criticisms well enough

for the Literary Criticism Quiz on Wednesday, February 14th through notes taken during the expert presentations.

 

 

Wed, Jan 31st

Fri, Feb 2nd

Mon, Feb 5th

Wed, Feb 7th

Fri, Feb 9th

Wed, Feb 14th

Study print documents in expert folders. Identify 5 key words to define.

Begin Step 1 and 2.

Research criticisms in the library on-line. Continue Step 1 and 2.

Bring researched information. Work in library on Steps 2, 3, 4.

*Choose excerpt for transparency!!!

Bring researched information. Work in class on Steps 2, 3, 4.

 

Step 5/Step 6:

Presentations

and modeling for quiz..

Literary Criticism Quiz!

 

Grade Breakdown: This assignment is worth 50 points.

 

¯    Expert Questions: 20 points

¯    Presentation Handout: 10 points

¯    Excerpt Critique: 10 points

¯    *Expert Presentation: 10 points

 

 

*Note: Every group member must have a role in the presentation to receive a grade.

 

 

EXPERT QUESTIONS

 

  1. Define this type of criticism in your own words.
  2. Define 5 key words useful in understanding this criticism.
  3. When did this criticism become popular? What is the history behind this criticism? Who is famous for founding or using this approach?
  4. How does this theory see or understand a text?
  5. What does this critic look for when they read a text? What questions might this type of critic ask when reading a text?
  6. What do you think are the strengths of this approach?
  7. What do you think are the weaknesses of this approach?

 

You can turn in one group written response to these questions. However, you should write thoughtful answers in your own words that you understand, so that you can create a handout and teach this form of criticism to your classmates so they understand, too!!

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

List of Literary Criticisms

 

Formalism/New Criticism

Reader-Response

Mythological/Archetypal

Historical/New Historicism

Deconstruction

Gender Criticism/Feminist/Gay and Lesbian

Marxist Criticism

Psychological (Psychoanalytic) Criticism

Post-colonialism

 

 

On-Line Sources:

 

Go to: http://mhslibrary.org/ > Click on Teacher Projects > Click on Johnson—Literary Criticism> Browse the numerous sites linked on this page for general information on your critical approach. Use the Literature Resource Center to find actual critical essays written from these different approaches.