Part 1 An Overall Guide to Appreciating Literature
1What Is Literature?
1.1Types of literature
1.2Literature is language
1.3Literature is fictional
1.4Literature is true
1.5Literature is aesthetic
2Why Do We Read Literature?
2.1To acquire knowledge and wisdom
2.2To consolidate language competence
2.3To read for pleasure
2.4To improve understanding about life
2.5To cultivate capacity of artistic appreciation
3HOW to Learn Literary Texts?
3.1Copying
3.2paraphrase
3.3Summary
3.4Description
3.5Analysis
4How to Write About Literature?
4.1Having something to say
4.2Choosing a topic
4.3Considering your audience
4.4Collecting evidence
4.5Developing argument
4.6Writing die first draft
4.7Revising
4.8Documentation
4.9The "Works Cited" page
4.10Sample Essay 1
4.11Sample Essay 2
5How to Take Essay Tests?
5.1Prepare thoroughly
5.2Plan your answer wisely
5.3Respond directly to the assignment
5.4Add inserts when necessary
5.5Write clear, simple, and correct prose
5.6Be creative
5.7Sample Test Essays
6Major Critical Approaches
6.1Formalistic criticism
6.2Biographical criticism
6.3Historical criticism
6.4Psychological criticism
6.5Sociological criticism
6.6Feminist criticism
6.7Reader-response criticism
6.8Cultural studies criticism
6.9Practical criticism
6.10Some tips on applying critical approaches
7Major Literary Schools
7.1Classicism and neoclassicism
7.2Romanticism
7.3Realism
7.4Naturalism
7.5Modernism
7.6Postmodernism
Part 2 A Guide to Appreciating English Poetry
1Introduction
1.1Nature of poetry
1.2Various descriptions about poetry
1.3Value of learning poetry
2Scansion of Poetry
2.1Rhythm
2.2Meter and foot
2.3Rhythmic patterns
2.4Metrical mutations
Part 3 A Guide to Appreciating English Drama
Part 4 A Guide to Appreciating English Fiction
Part 5 A Guide to Appreciating English Essays
Part 6 Short Glossary of Literary Terms
References