Theoretical-Critical Essay
Assignment Sheet
For this fourth paper, you will apply critical theory and outside research to a theoretical-critical analysis of a literary text we have read this fall. Consider a text through one of the theoretical-critical lenses discussed in NIL’s “Critical Approaches” section (A1-A26), and support your argument with critical scholarship you find by using PSCC’s library resources and databases.
The literary text you analyze may be a short story, poem, or play (of your choosing) that we read this fall, provided you have not already written an essay on it. After selecting your text, apply one of the following theoretical-critical frameworks, from our readings/discussions, to your analysis:
Marxist Criticism –How does the text highlight or problematize socioeconomic/class inequality and struggle? (See NIL A16-A17)
Feminist Criticism –How does the text highlight or problematize gender inequality and struggle? (See NIL A17-A19)
Gender Studies and Queer Theory –How does the text highlight or problematize inequalities in LGBTQ+ matters? (See NIL A19-A20)
African American and Ethnic Literary Studies –How does the text highlight or problematize inequalities in race-, ethnicity-, or nationality-related matters? (See NIL A20-A22)
Cultural Studies –How does the text problematize cultural trends? (See NIL A23-A24)
Note: you may apply a different theoretical-critical framework, if you wish, provided the theory is included in NIL’s “Critical Approaches” section—see New Criticism, Structuralism, Poststructuralism, Deconstruction, Narrative Theory, Biographical Criticism, Psychoanalytic Criticism, Reader-Response Criticism, Reception Studies, New Historicism, or Postcolonial Criticism and Studies of World Literature—and that you approve it with me in advance.
Once you have chosen a theoretical-critical framework for your text, conduct library research to find 2+ scholarly sources relating to the text (and perhaps the theory as well), incorporating them into your paper. Note that at least one (1) of your sources must be a critical source about the text (or its author’s work); while you may wish to incorporate outside sources on your chosen framework as well, citing the NIL subsection on the framework in your paper is the minimum requirement.
Consider the text’s plot, narrative, character(s), conflicts, themes, form, style, and/or language.
How does the theoretical-critical reading you apply to the text affect these components? Consult (and cite) “Critical Approaches” (NIL 2305-2330) for guidance while writing, and remember to include quotes from the text and your sources (with in-text citations) to support your argument.
