Literary criticism typically involves the analysis and interpretation of literary works, focusing on themes, characters, narrative techniques, and historical contexts. It often presents arguments or evaluations about the meaning, significance, or quality of a literary text. Look for scholarly sources that provide in-depth analysis, critique, or discussion of literature rather than simply summarizing or summarily praising the work.
Use Library Databases: Use specialized academic databases like JSTOR, Project MUSE, or MLA International Bibliography. These platforms contain a vast array of scholarly articles and book chapters focusing on literary analysis and criticism.
Use Specific Keywords: Use specific keywords related to the literary work or the author's name combined with terms like "criticism," "analysis," or "interpretation." For example, "Shakespeare Hamlet criticism" or "Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice analysis."
Add Keywords to Your Search that Address Themes or Motifs. If you are examining a specific theme or motif in an author's work, search for their name and different keywords that describe that theme to find criticisms that discuss similar concepts. For example: walt whitman and grief
Filter Your Search Results: Use filters available in search engines or databases to narrow down results by publication type (e.g., scholarly articles, book chapters), publication date, and subject area to find relevant literary criticisms.
Look at References and Citations: Check the bibliographies of scholarly articles or books related to your topic. They often contain references to other relevant sources, including literary criticisms, that you might not have encountered in your initial search.
