Articles:

Analyzing Ads: Gender

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Critical Disability Studies

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Feminist Criticism

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Formal Reports

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LGBTQ + Criticism

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Literary Criticism

Literary Criticism refers to critical methods for interpreting texts and for substantiating arguments. This article focuses on literary interpretation, which may be called second-level literary criticism. The difference between first- and second-level criticism is similar to the distinction between a like or dislike of a text versus giving an interpretation of it.

Imagine that a group of friends gathers outside a movie theater after watching a re-release of Twilight, the first film in the Twilight film series, based on the novel of the same name by Stephanie Meyers:

• Some of the people in the group say they do not like the film because it portrays Bella as a weak female who becomes obsessed with Edward Cullen whom she cannot marry without leaving her loving father and losing her precious mortality.
• Other people like those aspects of the film, however, arguing that the film makes them disagree with its representation of some women as meek characters.

In each case, everyone states his or interpretation of the film to contribute to a conversation about it; everyone offers literary criticism.

This same sort of give and take occurs among readers of texts.

Works of literature invoke multiple readings. In other words, we can all read the same story or poem (or watch the same movie or listen to the same song) and come up with different, even conflicting, interpretations about what the work means. Who we are reflects how we read texts. Our experiences inspire us to relate to and sympathize with characters and difficult situations. Have we read similar stories? Have we actually faced some of the same challenges the characters in the story face?

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Marxist Criticism

Marxist Criticism refers to a method you’ll encounter in literary and cultural analysis. It breaks down texts and societal structures using foundational concepts like class, alienation, base, and superstructure. By understanding this, you’ll gain insights into how power dynamics and socio-economic factors influence narratives and cultural perspectives

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New Historicist Criticism

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Planning Technical & Professional Documents

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Post-Colonial Criticism

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Post-Structuralist, Deconstructive Criticism

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Professional and Technical Writing Processes: Composing

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Psychological Criticism

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Quoting in MLA – Definition & Examples

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Quoting Plays and Poetry in MLA

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Reader-Response Criticism

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Rhetorical Appeals: An Overview

Rhetorical appeals are strategic tools writers use to effectively persuade their audience. Comprising ethos (credibility), logos (logic), pathos (emotion), and kairos (timing), these appeals form the backbone of influential persuasive writing. By understanding and harnessing these appeals, you’ll not only recognize them in the texts you read but also enhance your own writing, making your arguments more compelling and impactful.

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Structuralist Criticism

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Using Appeals to Kairos in Persuasive Writing

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Using Pathos in Persuasive Writing

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You-Centered Business Style

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