 |
 |
|
BACKGROUND READING For the most part, background reading for a literary criticism paper will consist of the work of literature itself; the play, short story, poem, novel etc. that will be the subject of your paper. This type of reading is very different from the passive reading style used in recreational reading. This is active reading, pen and paper at the ready to note questions that arise from the text, examples that illustrate the motivation of the characters, the rising and falling action of the storyline, themes, and other elements that support the author’s purpose. It may take several readings to extract the necessary information to formulate your paper’s thesis. In addition to your chosen work or works, your background reading can include an overview of the author. The online resource, Literature Resource Center, can provide you with overview articles from published reference resources on a wide variety of authors. These overviews will provide recurring themes found in the author’s works as well as biographical information and critical acclaim including awards or prizes.
|
|