LITERARY CRITICISM

1. Which of the following refers to the evaluation, analysis, description, or

interpretation of literary works?

• a. Literary Criticism

• b. Literary Approach

• c. Literary Devices

Answer explanation

Literary Approach reveals how or why a particular work is constructed and what its social and cultural implications are.

Literary Devices is a tool used by writers to hint at larger themes, ideas, and meaning in a story or piece of writing.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

2.    What element in a literary work is described as the series of related events?

• a. Theme

• b. Setting

• c. Plot

Answer explanation

Theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work

Setting is the location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes place.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

3.    What do you call the opposition of forces which is essential to the plot?

• a. Climax

• b. Conflict

• c. Exposition

Answer explanation

Climax is the point at which the highest level of interest and emotional response is achieved.

Exposition is the background information on the characters and setting explained at the beginning of the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

4.    What is the most exciting part of a story?

• a. Exposition

• b. Climax

• c. Rising Action

Answer explanation

Exposition is the background information on the characters and setting explained at the beginning of the story.

Rising Action is all of the events that lead to the eventual climax, including character development and events that create suspense.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

5.    Which of the following is the central or main character in a story?

• a. Antagonist

• b. Protagonist

• c. Confidant

Answer explanation

- The protagonist is the lead character of a story

- The antagonist is the primary opponent of the protagonist, and the biggest obstacle standing between the main character and their goal.

- Confidant is a character in a story whom a protagonist confides in and trusts.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

6.    Which among the elements of a short story refers to the perspective of the

character or narrator telling the story?

• a. Symbolism

• b. Point of View

• c. Theme

Answer explanation

- Symbolism is a literary device that uses symbols, be they words, people, marks, locations, or abstract ideas to represent something beyond the literal meaning.

- POV is the “eye” or narrative voice through which you tell a story

- Theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

7.    What literary criticism approach analyzes the structure or form of each

individual part of a story and it focuses only on the text itself?

• a. Moralist Approach

• b. Formalist Approach

• c. Marxist Approach

Answer explanation

- Moralism judges literary works according to moral rather than formal principles.

- Formalism is the study of a text without taking into account any outside influence.

- Marxism places a literary work within the context of class and assumptions about class.

8.    How to analyze a text using formalist approach?

• a. Examine a text including the biographical information about the author and the effect on the reader.

• b. Scrutinize the point of view, structure, social and political ideas

• c. Analyze how the elements work together to give meaning to the text.

9.    Which of the following is TRUE about formalism?

• a. It is concerned with the historical events outside of the story, cultural,

  and religious beliefs.

• b. It uses quick reading to get the main idea of the text and compare it with

  other related works.

• c. It analyzes the work as a whole, the form of each individual part of the

  text from the individual scenes and chapters, elements, and literary devices.

10. Which of these features of a text would a formalist critic be most interested

in?

• a. Structure

• b. Author

• c. Reader