Literary Analysis and Criticism
Teaches critical analysis of texts and development of literary critiques.
Description : Students engage in in‑depth analysis of diverse texts, developing nuanced interpretations and constructing well‑argued critical essays.
Category : English
Age : 12+
Difficulty Level : Normal
Curriculum :
Module 1: Foundations of Literary Study Section 1: Introduction to Literature - Lesson 1: Defining Literature - Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 1: Defining literature as a form of art and communication - Lesson 2: The Value of Reading - Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 2: Exploring why literature matters in our everyday lives Section 2: Basics of Literary Analysis - Lesson 1: What Is Literary Analysis? - Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 1: Understanding the purpose and process of analyzing texts - Lesson 2: The Steps of Analysis - Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 2: Learning how to read critically, annotate, and ask questions Section 3: Developing Active Reading Habits - Lesson 1: Techniques for Active Reading - Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 1: Introducing strategies to engage with a text - Lesson 2: Annotation and Note-Taking - Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 2: Methods for marking up texts and recording insights Section 4: Understanding Author’s Intent - Lesson 1: Contextual Background - Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 1: Discovering how an author’s background and era influence a text - Lesson 2: Exploring Authorial Purpose - Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 2: Investigating why authors write and what they aim to convey Section 5: Fundamentals of Discussion and Critique - Lesson 1: Sharing Interpretations - Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 1: Developing skills to discuss personal readings and interpretations - Lesson 2: The Art of Constructive Criticism - Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 2: Learning to express thoughtful critiques and respect differing opinions Module 2: Literary Elements Basics Section 1: Plot and Structure - Lesson 1: Identifying Plot Components - Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 1: Breaking down narrative structures and key plot points - Lesson 2: Understanding Story Arcs - Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 2: Learning about exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution Section 2: Characters and Characterization - Lesson 1: Analyzing Character Roles - Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 1: Examining the roles characters play in advancing a story - Lesson 2: Tracing Character Development - Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 2: Observing how characters evolve throughout a narrative Section 3: Setting and Mood - Lesson 1: The Role of Setting - Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 1: Understanding how time and place contribute to the narrative - Lesson 2: Creating Atmosphere - Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 2: Learning how language and detail establish mood and tone Section 4: Theme and Message - Lesson 1: Recognizing Themes - Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 1: Identifying central ideas and recurring motifs in texts - Lesson 2: Interpreting the Author’s Message - Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 2: Analyzing how themes convey deeper meanings Section 5: Point of View and Perspective - Lesson 1: Exploring Narrative Perspectives - Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 1: Understanding different points of view and their impact - Lesson 2: Effects of Perspective on Interpretation - Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 2: Investigating how narrative perspective shapes reader understanding Module 3: Thematic and Contextual Analysis Section 1: Exploring Literary Themes - Lesson 1: Common Literary Themes - Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 1: Identifying themes found across various texts - Lesson 2: Connecting Themes to Daily Life - Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 2: Relating universal themes to personal and societal experiences Section 2: Understanding Historical Context - Lesson 1: The Influence of History on Literature - Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 1: Studying how historical events shape literary works - Lesson 2: Techniques for Contextual Analysis - Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 2: Learning methods to connect texts to their historical settings Section 3: Cultural Influences in Literature - Lesson 1: Literature and Society - Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 1: Examining how cultural background influences texts - Lesson 2: Recognizing Cultural Symbols - Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 2: Identifying symbols and references that reflect cultural contexts Section 4: Introduction to Literary Criticism - Lesson 1: Overview of Critical Theories - Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 1: Introducing basic literary theories in an accessible way - Lesson 2: Applying Critical Perspectives - Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 2: Using simple critical tools to analyze texts Section 5: Comparative Analysis of Texts - Lesson 1: Comparing Themes and Elements - Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 1: Learning to compare and contrast different literary works - Lesson 2: Identifying Trends in Literature - Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 2: Observing patterns and recurring ideas across texts Module 4: Critical Essay Writing Section 1: Essay Structure Fundamentals - Lesson 1: Components of a Literary Essay - Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 1: Outlining introduction, body, and conclusion in critical essays - Lesson 2: Organizing Ideas Effectively - Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 2: Learning to structure arguments logically and cohesively Section 2: Developing a Thesis Statement - Lesson 1: Characteristics of a Strong Thesis - Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 1: Understanding the elements that make a thesis statement clear and specific - Lesson 2: Crafting Your Thesis - Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 2: Practicing the creation of focused thesis statements based on analysis Section 3: Supporting Arguments with Evidence - Lesson 1: Selecting Textual Evidence - Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 1: Finding and choosing key quotations and details from texts - Lesson 2: Analyzing Evidence Critically - Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 2: Learning to interpret evidence to support a claim Section 4: Writing Coherent Paragraphs - Lesson 1: Crafting Topic Sentences - Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 1: Developing clear and concise topic sentences for each paragraph - Lesson 2: Using Transitions for Flow - Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 2: Connecting ideas smoothly to create a unified essay Section 5: Revising and Editing Your Work - Lesson 1: Self-Review Strategies - Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 1: Techniques for critically reviewing and improving your own writing - Lesson 2: Peer Review and Feedback - Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 2: Learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to refine essays Module 5: Developing Critical Perspectives Section 1: Interpreting Metaphors and Symbolism - Lesson 1: Identifying Figures of Speech - Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 1: Learning to recognize metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech in texts - Lesson 2: Analyzing Symbolic Elements - Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 2: Exploring how symbolism adds layers of meaning to literature Section 2: Understanding Tone and Mood - Lesson 1: Recognizing Authorial Tone - Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 1: Identifying tone in various texts and understanding its impact - Lesson 2: Creating and Analyzing Mood - Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 2: Examining how word choice and style set the mood in literary works Section 3: Evaluating Literary Criticism - Lesson 1: Reading Reviews and Critiques - Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 1: Exploring different critical perspectives through reviews and analyses - Lesson 2: Forming Your Own Opinion - Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 2: Developing skills to form well-supported personal critiques Section 4: Writing a Literary Critique - Lesson 1: Structuring a Critical Review - Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 1: Outlining the structure for a balanced literary critique - Lesson 2: Balancing Opinion with Analysis - Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 2: Learning to blend personal insight with objective analysis in writing Section 5: Presenting Your Critical Analysis - Lesson 1: Preparing an Oral Presentation - Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 1: Developing techniques for presenting literary analysis verbally - Lesson 2: Engaging in Constructive Discussion - Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 2: Learning to participate in discussions and refine critiques through feedback