Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism
From Purdue University
Literature Timeline (most of these overlap)
- Moral Criticism, Dramatic Construction (~360 BC-present)
- Formalism, New Criticism, Neo-Aristotelian Criticism (1930s-present)
- Psychoanalytic Criticism, Jungian Criticism(1930s-present)
- Marxist Criticism (1930s-present)
- Reader-Response Criticism (1960s-present)
- Structuralism/Semiotics (1920s-present)
- Post-Structuralism/Deconstruction (1966-present)
- New Historicism/Cultural Studies (1980s-present)
- Post-Colonial Criticism (1990s-present)
- Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)
- Gender/Queer Studies (1970s-present)
- Critical Race Theory (1970s-present)
- Critical Disability Studies (1990s-present)*
* Purdue University
Subject-Specific Writing
Writing in Literature or http://bit.ly/2EuTLjF for their website
Above you will find, from Purdue University, a chronological list of literary movements that proves useful in
any discussion or examination of literature and writing.
Purdue's Literature Department publishes a wonderful, brief, and free mini-course online. I visit their site
to read updates, discover trends, and to refresh my knowledge base. This is where you begin as a writer: with a
solid operational foundation within your craft. In other words, visit the history of, and know, your craft. Then,
wait for it, turn your craft/profession into a business. Unfortunately, not much is said about the other side of
creativity -- business.
What, did I say business. Yes. If you are a creative in the arts, and want to move from the designation of
amateur to the professional level, you will require business skills. Does this mean losing your creativity
or creative life style. No. All kinds of ways exist to develop your profession and it doesn't mean wearing a suit.
However, two quick ways to kill your future in your craft is, first, procrastination and, second, lack of knowledge
about the business built around your creative field.
The business of writing, especially poetry, remains, as it has for three millennia, hard work. We write and create
because something deep inside us calls for expression and recognition (shh -- and money). If you choose
a path as a Writer| Poet | or other creative you must know how to maintain your craft as a business and
understand how others are dealing with your work. If you plan to attend college, a minor in business is a good idea.
Other avenues exist: a course or two in business related to your endeavor, or, study online offered by credible websites.
Creative, it's up to you to go out there and find sources and solutions that will help you along your journey
to success within your field, bon chance. There are no guaranties, but I hope to see ya on the other side.
--e. smith sleigh, author and poet
http://esmithsleigh.weebly.com/