1. unit packet writing utensil highlighter (optional)
*** Hand in your homework, please!
You can put it on the table in the back. ***
Today, you need...
unit packet
writing utensil
highlighter (optional)

2. Quick Debrief Tell someone close to you:
What did you write about in your Reader’s Response paper?

3. So, why did you do that assignment?
For many reasons, but the most important one is because…
“If all you have is a hammer,
everything looks like a nail.”
- Mark Twain

4. Critical Literary Theory
Unit Goals:
Sharpen your critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.*
Teach you a variety of ways to analyze literature (and the world around you).
Illustrate the dangers of believing there’s only one right way to read a text.
Prepare you for the real world.

5. Source: Sunglass Warehouse
A quick review...
What’s Critical Literary Theory, again?
Let’s use an analogy to help you solidify the meaning of this term.
Turn and Talk: Why do people use tinted sunglasses?
Source: Sunglass Warehouse

6. Each tint has it’s own purpose.
You still see everything in your environment, but the effect on your vision changes.
The different tints make it easier for your brain to focus on what’s important for the task at hand.
Brown/Amber = boaters
Vermillion = downhill skiiers
Yellow = range shooters
Source: Klauer Optical

7. It’s the same with literary theory.
The theories are different ways of viewing a text. Each one has a change in focus, which helps you to focus on different elements that you otherwise may not have seen.
Which is actually pretty cool when you think about it.

8. Reader’s Response Theory
Let’s review what you already know about this concept.

9. Reader’s Response Theory
meaning made through interaction between text and reader
∴ meaning changes based on reader’s personal experiences
READER
MEANING
TEXT
Source: How Stuff Works

10. RR Theory (con’t) focuses on the act of reading a text
features of work (plot, character, etc.) are less important that the text → reader exchange

11. How can you apply this theory?
Try asking questions like…
What’s happened to me personally that affects my reading?
Are there any issues close to my heart that this text touches on?
Are there any characters I can relate to?

12. Formalist Theory
An Introduction

13. Formalist Theory formal Root: form Definition: formal
recognizable shape of a structure
shape used to make associations
Definition: formal
set of conventions/accepted practices

14. Formalist Theory
the typical reading encouraged for high school students
treats text as an independent and self-sufficient object
∴ meaning is made through close reading the text
focuses on form and conventions
Like...word choice, figures of speech, literary elements, etc.
Source: Ryan Macklin

15. How can you apply this theory?
Try asking questions like…
What literary elements do you see?
setting, conflict, character, theme, plot, symbolism, foreshadowing, flashback, mood/tone, imagery
What significant words/phrases are used?
How is structure important here?

16. Application to Maleficent
Foci:
Character
Conflict
Symbolism

17. Your turn! (Re)read Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree.
Analyze the text using what you’ve learned about Formalist Theory and our class model that analyzes Maleficent.
Whatever you don’t finish in class is homework. So, make good use of your time!