AP Literature and Composition

Winter 2014

Mrs. Durfee

Literary Criticism Group Project

Directions and Guidelines

As a class, we have spent time learning about and applying several forms of literary criticism theory to our reading of The Awakening. We have also spent time in small groups applying analysis techniques (connotation, attitudes, shifts, theme, etc.) from our poetry unit to our current unit. This project will be a culmination of your abilities to critically examine a text from an assigned theoretical lens.

Your Task

Your overall goal is to understand your particular literary theory and criticism. As you complete this project, you should find that you have become more familiar with why and how literary criticism is used.

You have been working in small groups to explore different types of literary theory. Each group was assigned one particular type of criticism. Using the information gathered through research, each group will put together a presentation about their particular branch of literary criticism theory.

Process

It will be important for you and your partner(s) to keep track of the resources you use to complete this project. Everything, from images to information, must be referenced in a works cited document (slide). Please do not forget to cite our novella.

Options

You may choose one of the following forms of presentation:

  • Video presentation
  • Digital Presentation
  • PowerPoint/Prezi/Prezentit/Empressr/Zoho Show/Xtranormal/Smilebox/Go Animate (See a link on my blog for information about some of the options)
  • with transcript of verbal presentation (print the “notes” for each slide)
  • Skit: classroom/teacher with materials for the “students”

Requirements of the Project

  • Include when it was “invented” or “born,” its origins
  • Who is known as its founder(s)
  • General definition of the theory
  • Why it is used
  • What it focuses on
  • What are the key questions it asks of a text
  • What kinds of texts is it used for
  • How to analyze literature using this theory
  • Key words we need to use when analyzing
  • Key questions to use when reading
  • The pros and cons of applying it to literature
  • What are the advantages/disadvantages to using your particular literary criticism theory?
  • How can The Awakening be read and analyzed through the lens you have researched. (This must be verbally presented and must be typed in a one-two paragraph response. It will be turned in with the rest of the documents for this project.)
  • Find an example of a poem that can be analyzed through your particular lens. Be ready to explain its meaning through the appropriate literary theory to the class.
  • Works Cited list for ALL resources used (MLA format is required. Use a resource to ensure you are citing everything correctly. I use Son of Citation Machine and it has yet to fail me).

Presentations are due Thursday February 27th

Remember, literary criticism helps readers to look more closely at particular details within a piece of literature. Using different forms of literary criticism helps us to understand a text from multiple perspectives and on a number of different levels.

Documents to Submit

  • Physical project OR digital project on a disc (please do not email your presentation or any documents to me—it must be on a disc you can turn in)
  • Transcript from digital presentation
  • Poem used to support literary theory
  • One-two paragraph analysis of The Awakening as it applies to your particular theory
  • Any handouts provided to the class
  • Works cited document

Additional Notes/Ideas: