Why do we study literary works?

Question

What skills are needed to study literary works?

Answer 1

Those are actually two questions.

1. Why study literature

Consider Thelma English reasons for studyng and teaching literary works for instance (first link below):

- "My own presuppositions are naturally the basis and hub for my literary studies. As I approach a literary work I seek to uncover the author’s underlying assumptions. Did he/she believe in God? Did he/she accept or even know of Creation? Who was the intended audience and what was the culture like that this work was addressed to? What seems to be the purpose of this piece? Has the author uncovered biblical truths or is he/she seeking to challenge my underlying assumptions - values clarification? Literary criticism demands a careful study of the form and style of the work. Is it a narrative? Is it a recorded history? Is it prescriptive? Does it reflect pagan, renaissance, or reformation ideals? My own worldview, my basic assumptions of truth, will affect the manner in which I approach, understand, and teach any specific piece of literature."






2. What skills needed

Try the SQRRR method (second link below):

-SURVEY
1. Preview the material to be read. Scan the text quickly to discover the author's central concept.
2. Formulate an overall picture and purpose of what you're going to read.
QUESTION
1. Think about what you need to learn form this assignment (what, why, how, when, who, central idea.)
2. Write these questions on a paper and keep them handy while you are reading.
READ
1. Read specifically to answer your questions.
2. Most paragraphs contain one or more main ideas. Locate and make notes of them on your notepaper. Pay special attention to bold or italicized type, and to tables, graphs, and illustrations that may explain an idea more powerfully than the text.
RECALL
1. Pause periodically (every 15 minutes or so) to recall in your own words a summary of what your have read.
2. What are the important ideas or concepts? How do the examples, graphs, charts, text, etc. support the main ideas?
3. Write on your paper as much as you can recall about what your have read and learned! Each mini - review is a knowledge builder and memory reinforcer.
REVIEW
1. Did you answer your questions and understand the new material?
2. Reread the difficult parts if you don't understand it all.
3. Recalling and reviewing the same material several times over a period of several days is the best way to fully absorb and remember it!

I hope this helps you. Wishing you satisfying enjoyment of literary works.

Answer 2

We need to know how to read and write. We need to be able to comprehend the printed word. In most cases, we need to know how to compare and contrast different books. We need to know how to summarize a book (or make a book report).

In grade school through high school we study literary works to round out our education (just as we study art, science, math, music, history, etc.).

In college, we need to take writing courses, and books are covered at some point during the courses. People who plan to major or minor in literature will go on to take literature courses. They will analyze written works, and much more. People who are planning to become teachers, I'm sure, need literature courses.

Answer 3

Studying literature is important because it teaches you to think critically, learn how to interpret the written word based on the facts that you know about the time the piece was written, what was going on politically, where the author was coming from etc.

And it's fun!