Close analysis
and Critical
Interpretation of
Literature
By:
JOVEROSE O. CLAVERON
SHS TEACHER II
After this lesson, you are expected to:
define literary analysis.
distinguish the elements and
procedures involved in conducting a
close reading and critical
interpretation of a literary piece.
– In writing close analysis and critical
interpretation of literary texts or any specific
text, you need to strengthen your discussion
if you offer specific passages from the text
as evidence.
Literary critical analysis
– employs interpretations to understand a piece of fiction,
poetry, or theater.
– OBJECTIVE: extend and deepen your comprehension of a
piece of Literature.
– Close reading and critical interpretation of literary texts
necessitate two phases in writing: critical reading and
critical writing.
Close Critical reading (close reading)
– is a literary analysis technique that focuses on the
elements of a passage of text to uncover hidden
meaning, the reader's understanding of the passage
or text is formed from the careful reading.
– It tends to operate on the assumption that no details
appear in a text by "accident."
After reading the work the first time, ask
yourself the following questions:
– What is the geographical, historical, and social setting? How do
these affect the literary text?
– Who is (are) the main character(s)? Who are the secondary
characters, and how are they related to the main character/s?
– Does the main character change? If so, how and why? If not, why
not?
– What is the conflict? How does the resolution develop?
– Who is the narrator/persona? How does he/she affect the
story/poem?
– In poetry, what is the pattern of rhyme and meter?
– Do you notice any figurative language? What are those? What
imagery have you perceived? How do these literary devices affect
the passage? (e.g., do they add emphasis or connect key ideas?)
– What words are being used here? Are there any words being
repeated? Are any two (or more) words used in this passage
connected in some way?
– Is the speaker straightforward, factual, or open? Is he or she taking
a less direct route toward his or her meaning? Does the voice state
any emotion?
Broadcasting Media
– consists of programs produced by television
network and radio stations.
– Contrary to print media, broadcast media
airs audio and video materials for the
public’s information, interest, or leisure.
Fill in the blanks using the words provided.
Parts
Close
Author
Meaning
Analyzing
Impression
Critical
Literary analysis involves examining all the1. ________ of a
novel, play, short story, or poem—elements such as
character, setting, tone, and imagery—and thinking about
how the 2. _________uses those elements to create
certain effects. To begin to find the 3. _________of the
text, you must first start to analyze it.4. _________begins
before you start to read. You should spend time asking
yourself what you already know about the author, looking
through any introductory notes, and then skimming the
material for the first 5. ________.
Critical
interpretation of
Philippine
Literature
By:
JOVEROSE O. CLAVERON
SHS TEACHER II
In interpreting a literary work, you are
filling in the story's gaps a little bit more.
You dive deeper into the setting, characters,
and story, as well as the author's manner and
language.
After this lesson, you are expected to:
define literary analysis.
distinguish the elements and
procedures involved in conducting a
close reading and critical
interpretation of a literary piece.
Interpretation
is an individual response that addresses meaning.
An in-depth examination of a text develops them.
It often will be the thesis of your paper.
Thesis refers to the central argument or claim that
you, as the writer, put forward and aim to support
throughout your essay or analysis.
Guidelines for Writing a Literary
Critical Interpretation
Avoid introducing your ideas by stating, "I think" or "in my
opinion."
Always introduce the work.
Other questions to consider:
Is there a controversy surrounding either the passage or the
subject which it concerns?
What about the subject matter is of current interest?
What is the overall value of the passage?
What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Support your thesis with detailed evidence from the
text examined. Do not forget to document quotes
and paraphrases.
Remember that the purpose of a critical analysis is
not merely to inform but also to evaluate the worth,
utility, excellence, distinction, truth, validity, beauty,
or goodness of something.
– Even though you set the standards as a writer, you
should be open-minded, well-informed, and fair.
– You can express your opinions, but you should also
back them up with evidence.
– The review should provide information,
interpretation, and evaluation.
Now that you can discern the concept of doing
close reading and critical analysis answer the
activity below. Analyze the following sentences.
Write your NAME if you think the statement is true
and write the NAME OF YOUR CRUSH if you think
the statement is false.
1. One step in analyzing literary text you only read once
2. In doing a close writing analysis, it is necessary to read or reread the
text with specific questions in mind.
3. A literary analysis essay is a type of essay, which includes an
argumentative analysis of a piece of Literature.
4. Various foreign occupations in the Philippines did not affect and
influence the features and themes of its Literature.
5. Making a literary analysis outline is an integral part of the writing
process.
