Library of Congress
Loc: Main Reading Room: Literary Criticism
This is an annotated list of reference websites for literary criticism.
University of Toronto (Canada)
University of Toronto Libraries: Glossary of Literary Theory
A glossary of definitions for terms related to literary theory. Click each word in the glossary list and a definition with examples appears.
Other
University of Texas at Arlington: Illuminations: The Critical Theory Website
Online collection of articles and excerpts about critical theory from contemporary writers.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: A Literary Survey: Archive
This search engine provides access to more than 3000 items including visual art, audio files, primary source materials, and additional texts supporting and enriching the understanding of American Literature. RI.9-10.9 US Documents,...
Yale University
Yale University: Open Yale Courses: Introduction to Theory of Literature
Access any one of twenty-five lectures, in audio, video, or text format, from a university-level course in literary analysis and critical literary theories. Considers postmodernism, New Criticism, feminism, deconstructionism, and an...
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: Introduction to Practical Criticism
An in-depth learning module in literary criticism. Students read and listen to a poem by Sir Thomas Wyatt and an excerpt from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and analyze their structure and meaning. Includes multiple-choice quizzes.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Literary Criticism
Wikipedia offers a detailed history of literary criticism from medieval time up to its current state.
Other
Teaching Heart: Fairy Tale Lessons & Ideas
Geared toward grades K-3--offers objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions and evaluations. Online lesson plans for introducing and teaching basic literary criticism skills.
Other
Literary Theories: A Quick Sketch
Read this page to get the basics on a variety of literary theories.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Review Redux: Literary Criticism Through Reception Moments
Literature takes on a life of its own as learners take a hands-on approach to exploring A Raisin in the Sun for cultural and historical context.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Flying to Freedom: Tar Beach & the People Could Fly
Comparing and contrasting works and looking for underlying themes and messages are at the heart of this multicultural lesson plan. Provides links to several background resources, and suggestions for assessment.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Corduroy Lesson Plan
This ReadWriteThink lesson plan features an opportunity for students to respond to literature through writing journals about "Corduroy," by Don Freeman. This idea could be used with other books as well.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: What Makes Poetry? Exploring Line Breaks
This lesson explains how analyzing poetry is a many-layered process. This lesson introduces the special characteristics of poetry and leads students through a look at how poems are structured and why. Includes links to poems and web...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: It Doesn't Have to End That Way
Literary response and prediction are the focus of this lesson plan. Knowing story structure is an important skill for literary analysis, and this gives teachers a way to help students develop this skill. Includes links to web resources,...
Other
Univ. Of Mississippi: Critical Approaches to Literature
Here are nine common critical approaches to the study of literature based on X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia's Literature: An Introductionto Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Bright Morning
Use this lesson to delve into the exploration of character development in fiction through the novel "Bright Morning," by Scott O'Dell.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Brothers Grimm
Start with "The Fisherman and His Wife" and then expand criticism skills to include other Grimm's Fairy Tales. Here you'll get an art project and discussion questions and then further instruction for teaching young students literary...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Critical Theory: Interpretive Strategies
Defines various critical approaches in brief. Click the Critical Theory link at the bottom of the page for more detail.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Practical Criticism
A general introduction to literary criticism, this website provides teachers and students with idea about how to derive meaning from poetry through personal interpretation.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Book Report Alternative: The Elements of Fiction
Analyzing a book takes the form of creating their own when young scholars complete this activity. The stated goal is to help students "Read like writers." Includes link to a template for student use.