Literature is the analysis, evaluation, and appreciation of written works from poetry to novels. Works of literature have the potential to be of immense artistic, intellectual, and cultural value to society, exposing and exploring important themes in human life.

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Access the following free resources from across the web. Note that Bootstrap Ed does not own any of the resources featured on this page. 

Literature Overview

*Note: These are class lectures that discuss books – with the assumption that those following along have read said books. If you don’t have copies of the featured books on hand, check them out at your local library for free!

  • Yale – Introduction to Theory of Literature (ENGL 300), Lecturer: Paul Fry
    • 26 lectures, approximately 50 minutes each
    • Playlist
  • Yale – Cervantes’ Don Quixote (SPAN 300), Lecturer: Roberto Gonzalez
    • 24 lectures, approximately 60 minutes each
    • Playlist
  • Yale – Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner (AMST 246), Lecturer: Wai Chee Dimock
    • 25 lectures, approximately 50 minutes each
    • Playlist
  • Yale – Modern Poetry (ENGL 310), Lecturer: Langdon Hammer
    • 25 lectures, approximately 45 minutes each
    • Playlist
  • Yale – The American Novel Since 1945 (ENGL 291), Lecturer: Amy Hungerford
    • 26 lectures, approximately 45 minutes each
    • Playlist
  • Yale – Milton (ENGL 220), Lecturer: John Rogers
    • 24 lectures, approximately 45 minutes each
    • Playlist
  • Missouri State – The Heroic Quest (LLT 180), Lecturer: Joseph Hughes
    • 24 lectures, approximately 50 minutes each
    • Playlist

..

Writing

  • Harvard College Writing Center – A Brief Guide to Writing the English Paper
  • Harvard College Writing Center – Overview of the Academic Essay
  • Harvard College Writing Center – Developing a Thesis
  • Harvard College Writing Center – Essay Structure

Complete the following exercises to apply your newly acquired knowledge.

  • WRITE: Character Comparison (4-6 pages double spaced)
    • Compare and contrast two characters featured in a piece of literature.
  • WRITE: Theme Analysis (4-6 pages double spaced)
    • Identify and discuss how a particular theme is raised in a piece of literature.
  • WRITE: Symbolism Analysis (4-6 pages double spaced)
    • Identify and discuss the meaning and function of a symbol featured in a piece of literature.
  • WRITE: Critique (8-10 pages double spaced)
    • Critique a work of literature. Summarize the piece and discuss its strengths and weaknesses.

Engage with the field on an ongoing basis. Note that Bootstrap Ed does not own any of the resources featured on this page. 

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