INTRODUCTION TO

LITERARY CRITICISM
Literary
Criticism
 Literature

Is the body of all written

works.
 Literature
(Etymology)
derives from the Latin word "Litteratura" means
"learning, a writing, or grammar"

Litteratura itself comes from another Latin

word "Litera/Littera" which means
"Letter"
"Literature is a written work that is
considered to be very good and to have
lasting importance. "

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
"Literature is a news that
stays news. "

-Ezra Pound
"Literature is consists of those
writing which interpret the meanings
of nature and life, in words of charm
and power, touched with the
personality of the author, in artistic
forms of permanent interest. "

-Henry Van Dyke

"Literature is a written work that demonstrates a level
of excellence with note to structure form, and
convention while conveying a story that teaches the
readers about human conditions."
 Criticism
Is the expression of
disapproval of someone or
something based on the
perceived faults or mistakes.
Literary
Criticism
 Literary Criticism

Is the interpretation, analysis,

classification and ultimately the
judgement of literary works.
 A CRITIQUE ETYMOLOGY

 CRITIQUE - it is a formal analysis of a

body of work, whether it's a performance,
concept, argument, poetry, book, or
research paper.
 A CRITIQUE ETYMOLOGY

 ETYMOLOGY - it is the history or

origin of a word or phrase shown by
tracing it's development and
relationships.
 A CRITIQUE ETYMOLOGY

 1580’s
 CRITIC – is “ one who passes judgement,
 From L. Criticus “a judge, literary critic
 Gk.kritikos “ able to make judgments”
 MEANING “ who judges merits of books, plays, etc.

 17th and 18th Centuries: the critic was considered “ A JUDGE who
finds the FAULTS and MERITS of a literary work.
 LITERARY CRITIC

CRITIC
a person who judges, evaluates, or
analyzes literary or artistic works, dramatic
or musical performances, or the like,
especially for a newspaper or magazine.
 LITERARY CRITIC

CRITIC
Is NOT someone who merely evaluates the worth or
quality of a piece of literature but, rather, is someone
who ARGUES on behalf of an interpretation or
understanding of the particular meaning (s) of literary
texts.
 LITERARY CRITIC

CRITIC
The task of a literary critic is to explain and attempt
to reach a critical understanding of what literary
texts mean in terms of their AESTHETIC, as well as
SOCIAL, POLITICAL, and CULTURAL statements
and suggestions.
 Literary theory
is the systematic study of the nature of literature
and of the methods for literary analysis.

• Modern literary criticism is often informed by

LITERARY THEORY, which is the philosophical
discussions of its methods and goals.
 Literary Criticism
Vs.
Literary Theory

LITERARY CRITICISM- is the practice of interpreting and

writing about literature as a latter, in turn, strives to make
sense of the world.

LITERARY THEORY- is the study of the principles which

inform how critics make sense of literary works.
 Related Terms
Critical Analysis- is an in-depth examination of some
aspect of the literary work.
You may examine any element of the text: character
development, conflicts, narrative point of view, etc.
 Related Terms
Book Review/Literary Review- is a form
of literary criticism in which a book is merely
described (summary review) or analyzed based on
CONTENT, STYLE, and MERIT.
 Critique Paper
is an academic paper wherein, you are going to
briefly summarize and critically evaluate a work.
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
 TRIVIA OF THE DAY (Jan 08, 2024) Monday
-Ms. Wena

JOHN DRYDEN
is considered the founding
"Father of Modern Literary
Criticism in English. "
 TRIVIA OF THE DAY (Jan 08, 2024) Monday
-Ms. Wena

JOHN DRYDEN
He was the first English writer to
establish criticism as a systematic
discipline based on principled
analysis and evaluation of literary
works.
 TRIVIA OF THE DAY (Jan 08, 2024) Monday
-Ms. Wena

JOHN DRYDEN
He was buried in "Poets' Corner
Westminster Abbey, London,
England.
(Near Geoffrey Chaucer)
TRIVIA OF THE DAY (Jan 08, 2024) Monday
-Ms. Wena

GEOFFREY CHAUCER
First poet buried in the Poets' Corner of
Westminster Abbey.
TRIVIA OF THE DAY (Jan 08, 2024) Monday
-Ms. Wena

GEOFFREY CHAUCER
"Father of English Literature. "

He is widely considered the greatest

English poet of the Middle Ages.