How to Read Like a Literature Professor: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

For many, reading literature can be an intimidating task. It’s not always easy to comprehend the complexities of a text, especially when attempting to read it like a literature professor. Fortunately, there are several steps one can take to improve their skills and gain a better understanding of literature.

Learn the Conventions of Literary Criticism

To read like a literature professor, one must first learn the conventions of literary criticism. Literary criticism is “the practice of analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating works of literature” (Merriam Webster). There are many different types of literary criticism, including formalism, structuralism, reader-response theory, deconstruction, psychoanalytic criticism, and feminist criticism. Each type has its own techniques and approaches for analyzing literature.

Formalism, for example, examines the structure and form of the text, while structuralism looks at how elements within the text are related to each other. Reader-response theory focuses on how readers interpret the text and bring their own experiences to the reading. Deconstruction looks for inconsistencies and contradictions within the text, while psychoanalytic criticism applies psychological theories to analyze characters and themes. Feminist criticism, meanwhile, examines how gender is represented in the text.

Develop an Understanding of the History of Literature

In order to read like a literature professor, one must also have an understanding of the history of literature. Major eras in literature include Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, and Postmodernism. Each era has its own characteristics and important works.

For instance, Ancient Greek literature is often credited as the beginning of Western literature, with notable works such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. The Middle Ages saw the emergence of the epic poem, with works such as Beowulf and The Song of Roland. The Renaissance was a period of great exploration and creativity, with works such as William Shakespeare’s plays and Christopher Marlowe’s poetry. The Enlightenment ushered in the Age of Reason, with authors such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke.

Romanticism was a period of emotion and imagination, with authors such as Wordsworth and Coleridge. Realism focused on the everyday lives of ordinary people, with authors such as George Eliot and Leo Tolstoy. Modernism experimented with new forms and styles, with authors such as T. S. Eliot and James Joyce. Finally, Postmodernism challenged traditional notions of literature, with works such as Thomas Pynchon’s Gravity’s Rainbow.

Become Familiar with Key Works in the Genre

In order to read literature like a professor, one should also become familiar with key works in the genre. Common genres in literature include poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and essays. Examples of important works from each genre include John Milton’s Paradise Lost (poetry), William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (drama), Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (fiction), Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (nonfiction), and Michel de Montaigne’s Essays (essays).

When studying these works, it is important to consider how they fit into the genre. For example, Paradise Lost is an epic poem that explores the fall of man, while Hamlet is a tragedy that examines revenge and mortality. Pride and Prejudice is a novel of manners that explores class and gender roles, while On the Origin of Species is a scientific work that revolutionized the study of biology. Lastly, Montaigne’s Essays are reflections on various topics, such as friendship, death, and religion.

Understand the Power of Close Reading

Close reading is an essential skill for reading like a literature professor. Close reading is “a careful, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of text” (Harvard Writing Center). When close reading, one should look for patterns, symbols, and motifs; consider the author’s use of language; and make connections between the text and the world around them.

When close reading, one should pay attention to the text’s structure, syntax, diction, imagery, and figurative language. They should also consider how the author uses sound effects and repetition to create a certain mood or atmosphere. Additionally, they should look for deeper meanings beneath the surface of the text and draw connections between the text and other works.

The benefits of close reading are numerous. According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, close reading helps students develop a deeper understanding of texts by encouraging them to ask questions, make inferences, and analyze the text in detail.

Develop a Critical Eye for Analyzing Texts

In addition to close reading, one must also develop a critical eye for analyzing texts. Critical analysis is “the process of objectively and critically evaluating or analyzing an issue in order to form an opinion” (Merriam Webster). When analyzing texts, one should consider the author’s purpose, the historical context, the characters’ motivations, and the themes and symbols present in the text.

When analyzing texts, one should also consider how the text relates to the genre, its place in the literary canon, and the impact it has had on society. Additionally, one should pay attention to the author’s use of language, rhetoric, and style, as well as how the text is structured. By doing so, one can gain a deeper understanding of the text and its meaning.

The benefits of critical analysis are clear. According to a study published in the journal Research in Comparative and International Education, critical analysis helps students develop critical thinking skills and encourages them to think beyond the surface level of a text.

Read Actively and Record Your Thoughts as You Go

One of the best ways to read like a literature professor is to read actively and record your thoughts as you go. Active reading involves engaging with the text, asking questions, and making connections between the text and the world around you. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to any patterns, symbols, or motifs in the text.

Recording your thoughts as you read is also beneficial. This can involve taking notes, highlighting important passages, or writing down any questions or observations you may have. Doing this will help you to keep track of your ideas and make it easier to go back and review key concepts.

The benefits of active reading and recording your thoughts are clear. According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, active reading and note-taking help students retain information and engage more deeply with the text.

Compare and Contrast Different Interpretations of the Text

Finally, it is important to compare and contrast different interpretations of the text. Comparison and contrast is “the act or process of comparing two or more things” (Merriam Webster). When comparing and contrasting interpretations, one should consider the different perspectives being presented and how they contribute to the overall understanding of the text.

For instance, one might compare two different interpretations of a work of literature and examine how the two authors approach the same text differently. Or, one might consider how different cultures or historical contexts have shaped different interpretations of the text. By doing this, one can gain a better understanding of the text and its various meanings.

The benefits of comparing and contrasting interpretations are clear. According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, comparing and contrasting interpretations helps students develop critical thinking skills, encourages them to think deeply about the text, and promotes collaboration between peers.

Conclusion

Reading literature like a professor can be a daunting task. However, by following the steps outlined in this article—learning the conventions of literary criticism, developing an understanding of the history of literature, becoming familiar with key works in the genre, understanding the power of close reading, developing a critical eye for analyzing texts, reading actively and recording your thoughts as you go, and comparing and contrasting different interpretations of the text—one can gain a better understanding of literature and become a more proficient reader.