Study the Four Schools of Literary Criticism from the reading in the Module 3 Resources. Choose the theory you want to work with throughout this assignment. Feel free to challenge yourself, remembering that sometimes viewing texts through a different perspective, or lens, from your normal approach to the text can provide a valuable learning experience.
Formalism/New Criticism
Reader-Response Criticism
Ethnic and Cultural Studies/Multiculturalism
Feminist Criticism and Gender and Sexuality Studies
Part 2
Select a creative work (a written text, artwork, video, film, song, etc.) not previously referenced in this course and created within the past three years to which you want to apply your chosen theory. Be sure to choose something interesting or exciting to you!
Part 3
Compose a written analysis of your selected text using the secondary source material associated with your chosen literary theory. You will want to use the following structure for your composition:
Introduction
Identify your critical theory
Briefly explain some key concepts, questions, or ideas to acquaint your reader with this specific theory
Be sure to include at least one in-text citation from your secondary source. (Refer back to the course content on integrating quotations for help.)
The final sentence of your introduction should identify your selected “text” and its relation to your critical theory.
(For example: Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale illustrates key components of Feminist Theory.)
Your introduction should be no less than 5 sentences (roughly 50-60 words).
Body Paragraphs
Show how your selected critical theory is present in or can be applied to the text you chose.
Include very specific examples (quotes, lyrics, descriptions of elements within the artwork/music/text) to support the connection between the text and theory.
(For example: The diction used in Atwood’s text echoes sentiments of gender inequality in society.)
Your body paragraphs should be no less than 7 sentences (roughly 70-80 words) each.
Conclusion
To conclude your assignment, restate the final sentence of your introduction paragraph that identifies your text and critical theory.
You will then offer the reader a brief (2-3 sentences) description of how this text and critical theory is significant to society today; how does the text “teach” or inform society?
Your conclusion should be no less than 4 sentences (roughly 40-50 words).
Part 4
Finally, include an MLA Works Cited-style citation for all sources used. This will allow you to practice citation for future papers. The sources for literary theories are already provided for you; however, you will need to provide the citation for your selection of text. If you need help, consult the MLA Guidelines in the course content or on a website, such as Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) that provides a guide for the latest MLA style. Be sure to cite your sources according to the 9th edition MLA style guide.