Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Family Name First Name Middle Name month/date/year

Section: ______________________________ Score: ____/20
Strand/Grade/Block

Directions: On another sheet of long bond paper/s, summarize the aforementioned information by using any of the
following note taking methods (read more about these methods at https://www.oxfordlearning.com/5-effective-note-
taking-methods/). Written or encoded. Only write the main points of the said information. Please be guided on the
attached rubric. (1 item, 20 points).

Literary Criticism
In the ancient times, the term criticism was derived from the Greek term kritikos, which was used in the 4th century B.C.
It means a judge of literature. In the 2nd century A.D. its place was taken by the term criticus, aimed at the interpretation
of texts and words and improvement of the works of writers in Greek or Latin.

What makes a literary Critic?

A literary critic is one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value,
truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique, while an ordinary critic is one who likes or dislikes a book, a movie, a dinner.

Nature of Literary Criticism

- Criticism and Creation
- Literary Criticism & Scientific Accuracy

Functions of Literary Criticism

A. Judgement- In its strict sense, criticism means judgment. The literary critic, therefore, is primarily an expert
who uses his special faculty and training to examine the merits and defects of a piece of literary art or the work of a given
author and pronounce a verdict upon it.

B. Evaluation- The literary critic T. G. Williams in his book entitled, English Literature: A Critical Survey, added:
“The function of a literary critic is the evaluation of what has been written, in terms of aesthetic principles appropriate to
literature.”

C. Interpretation- Since poetry is a criticism (interpretation) of life, criticism is an interpretation of that

interpretation. The chief function of criticism is to enlighten and stimulate by the proper interpretation of the works of
literature.

Qualities of a Good Critic

 strong sense,
 united to delicate sentiment,
 improved by practice,
 perfected by comparison, and
 cleared of all prejudice
 A good critic must have superior sensibility.
 A good critic must also have wide erudition.
 A good critic must be entirely impersonal and objective.
 A good critic must try to discipline his personal prejudices and whims.
 A good critic must also have a highly-developed sense of tradition.

As a basic requirement, an ideal critic must have knowledge of technical details of a poem, its genesis, setting, etc. This
means, all the accumulated knowledge that you have since the day you started reading up to the present will be put into
good use.
Literary Approaches
1. Formalist criticism 
It is placed at the center because it deals primarily with the text and not with any of the outside considerations such as
author, the real world, audience, or other literature. Meaning, formalists argue, is inherent in the text. Because
meaning is determinant, all other considerations are irrelevant.

2. Deconstructionist criticism 
It is also subject texts to careful, formal analysis; however, they reach an opposite conclusion: there is no meaning in
language. They believe that a piece of writing does not have one meaning and the meaning itself is dependent on the
reader.

3. Historical criticism 
It relies heavily on the author and his world. In the historical view, it is important to understand the author and his
world in order to understand his intent and to make sense of his work. In this view, the work is informed by the
author’s beliefs, prejudices, time, and history, and to fully understand the work, we must understand the author and
his age.

4. Inter-textual criticism
It is concerned with comparing the work in question to other literature, to get a broader picture. One may compare a
piece of work to another of the same author, same literary movement or same historical background.

5. Reader-response criticism 
It is concerned with how the work is viewed by the audience. In this approach, the reader creates meaning, not the
author or the work. Once the work is published, the author is no longer relevant.

6. Mimetic criticism 
seeks to see how well a work accords with the real world. How does a piece of literature accurately portray the truth is
the main contention of this literary approach?

7. Psychological criticism 
It attempts to explain the behavioral underpinnings of the characters within the selection, analyzing the actions and
thoughts committed fall under any of the identifiable neuroses, whether a psychological disorder is evident among
them. Aside from the characters, the author and even the reader may be criticized as why they exhibit certain behavior
during the actual writing and reading experience.

8. Archetypal criticism 
It assumes that there is a collection of symbols, images, characters, and motifs (i.e.  archetypes) that evokes basically
the same response in all people which seem to bind all people regardless of culture and race worldwide. This can also
be labelled as Mythological and Symbolic criticisms. Their critics identify these archetypal patterns and discuss how
they function in the works.

9. Marxist criticism 
It concerns with the analysis of the clash of opposing social classes in society, namely; the ruling
class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat) as it shaped the events that transpired in the story.

10. Feminist criticism 

It concerns with the woman’s role in society as portrayed through texts. It typically analyzes the plight of woman as
depicted in the story. Generally, it criticizes the notion of woman as a construct through literature.

Note Taking Methods:

 Cornell Method
 Mapping Method
 Outlining Method
 Charting Method
 Sentence Method
Note Taking Rubric
 Category Distinguished Proficient Emerging Below Proficient
(5) (4) (3) (2)
Keywords vs. Notes are recorded as Notes are primarily Notes are primarily Notes are copied
copying keywords and phrases recorded as keywords copied from the directly from the
in student’s words. and phrases in mostly source. Some evidence source.
student’s words. of keywords and
phrases in own words.

Relevance Notes relate to the topic Notes primarily relate Some notes relate to the Notes are not related to
and show the main to the topic, some main topic, but many don't, the topic, little main
ideas enough example ideas, some example few ideas, no examples.
main ideas, little
example

Organization All notes are organized Most notes are Some evidence that No evidence of notes
logically and organized with some notes are organized, that are organized,
effectively. logic, orderly and with little order, orderly or legible.
legible. somewhat legible.

Quantity Enough notes to get all A sufficient number of Nearly enough notes Not enough notes are
relevant, key data, but notes are taken to are taken to create the taken to create a
not excessive to create create the product. product. product, or excessive
an effective product. notes are taken.

Totals