Literary Criticism

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Browse the library's literary criticism collection.
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Browse the Classics

Browse for copies of classics like Oliver Twist.

Websites with Literary Critcism

Browse websites with literary criticism.
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Explicator (Articles)

The Explicator is a publication of literary criticism. To search for articles or essays on specific literary works, click here.

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Books of Literary Criticism

Masterplots (series)

Masterplots analyzes the most important works in all genres -- long fiction, short fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction -- helping to define and critique the literary canon.

Understanding Literature (series)

This series explores the biographical and historical factors that influenced selected authors. Each book in the series includes a detailed synopsis of the subject's life and selected works.

Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations (series) - Harold Bloom

Provides a collection of critical essays that set the scene for an amplified study of selected classics. Also includes a chronology, background information on the contributors, and a bibliography. An excellent choice for students working on thematic or compare-and-contrast papers.

Online Collections for Literary Criticism Research

Looking for teacher-approved websites? Look no further! But don't forget to get out your library card; you're going to need it!

CliffsNotes
Downloadable titles from the Ohio eBook Project on various classics.
Contemporary Authors
Provides biographical and bibliographical information for more than 90,000 authors in the world. Categories include critical reviews, contact information, and awards won.
EBSCOhost Articles
Search for articles about different books and authors. Try using keywords like "book reviews" or "literary criticism" to narrow your search results.
Literature Criticism Online
Literary criticism for the 19th century, 20th century and contemporary times. Find biographical information about an author, as well as the author's major works & critical reception. Researching a specific book, novel or poem? Find information about the work's plot & major characters, themes, and criticism from reviewers of the work. Information also available for major literary trends and topics, such as the Beat Generation, slave narratives and American Romanticism.
LitFinder
Find author biographies, overview of master works and more.
Masterplots
Read plot summaries and critical analysis of major literary works, from Shakespeare to Louisa May Alcott, poetry to fiction.
Oxford Reference
Dictionaries and reference texts about literature that can be searched by keyword. Search for information about authors, characters, literary terms, etc.
SparkNotes
Downloadable titles from the Ohio eBook Project on various classics.

Advice on How to Explicate a Poem

Poetry Explication

View more presentations from Dana Huff.

Advice on How to Write a Literary Analysis

Writing a Literary Analysis

View more presentations from Gayla Keesee.

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