AP Literature and Composition
Herlihy
Critical Approaches to Literature Project
Purpose: To familiarize you with different critical approaches, to provide the experience of
applying one approach to a short work of fiction in an essay of substantial depth, and to prepare you
to use these perspectives more ably in your seminar presentations later.
Assignments:
You will complete:
1. A 15-20 minute presentation/discussion about your theory (worth 100 points)
2. A paper of approximately 700-750 words which uses direct evidence from the text and uses one of
the critical theories to explore the short text “Reunion” by John Cheever. (worth 200 points)
Presentation: After you have been assigned a critical theory, select a fairy tale or nursery rhyme
(or some other familiar short text), find a copy of it and print it out. TALK to your partners at
length about the story. Try to see it anew from this critical lens and take notes about your
observations.
Gather information and gauge your knowledge about your critical approach. You may need to do
more research at this point.
Together, begin organizing your critiques of your chosen story according to your approach. Think
about how you will engage the class and teach them about this approach. You will have 15-20
minutes to reach your audience. In your planning, think of ways you will assess students’
understanding of the approach. Students will also fill out an evaluation form on your presentation.
Make sure your presentation includes a more in-depth explanation of your approach, followed by
its application to your story.
Paper: Read “Reunion” by John Cheever once. Notice the language of the text and annotate first
impressions and ideas. Then choose one of the critical theories presented in class and re-read.
Annotate again with this critical lens in mind. Then, organize and write a paper in which you use
this approach to formulate a thesis and explore how this critical theory unlocks the meaning of the
text. The approach should be embedded in your paper, rather than explicit. (i.e. Your paper should
not begin. The archetypal theory is very interesting and important.) In other words, you do not
need to explain the theory to the reader.
Note: The central issue you must address in your paper and presentation is how the critical
approach unlocks meaning from the text.
Presentations are due either Tuesday, 10/26 or Thursday, 10/28.
Paper is due Monday, November 1.