Practical Criticism Methods

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Questions and Answers

What was I.A. Richards trying to eliminate from students' poetry analysis?

Awareness of the historical context (correct)

Information about the author (correct)

Knowledge of the language used

Understanding of personal emotions

What does 'organised response' involve according to I.A. Richards?

General emotional reactions

Detailed attention to linguistic elements (correct)

Multiple choice evaluation

Limited focus on key themes

Which book did William Empson write that expanded on Richard's ideas?

The Art of Criticism

Understanding Poetry

Practical Criticism

Seven Types of Ambiguity (correct)

What was one key benefit of Practical Criticism highlighted by I.A. Richards?

Improved careful reading skills Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of four types of meaning suggest?

Words can carry multiple meanings at once Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Richards use to test his students' understanding of poetry?

Giving poems without any context Signup and view all the answers

The primary focus of Practical Criticism is on:

Interpreting the text according to its words Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects a common misconception students have about poetry?

Poetry is always meant to convey a clear message Signup and view all the answers

Practical Criticism primarily trains readers to:

Focus on the content of the poem Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of analyzing poetry without background information?

It enhances detailed reading skills Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'sense' of a statement refer to?

The factual meanings of the words Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'tone' of a piece of writing?

The author's attitude toward the audience Signup and view all the answers

In IA Richards' analysis, what typically dominates in scientific writing?

Sense Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary intention behind a political speech like 'We shall fight on the beaches!'?

To motivate and unite the listeners Signup and view all the answers

What common issue do students face when analyzing poetry according to IA Richards?

Differentiating between sense, feeling, tone, and intention Signup and view all the answers

Which title is correctly attributed to IA Richards?

Principles of Literary Criticism Signup and view all the answers

How should feeling interact with sense in poetry according to the content?

Feeling and tone should dominate but operate through sense Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'intention' of a writer represent?

The purpose behind the writing Signup and view all the answers

Which type of writing typically features a professional and formal tone?

Academic writing Signup and view all the answers

What should readers try to identify to enhance their understanding of a text?

All four elements: sense, feeling, tone, and intention Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Practical Criticism

Practical Criticism is a method of literary analysis that focuses on the text itself, disregarding authorial intent or historical context.
I.A. Richards pioneered this approach at Cambridge University in the 1920s.
Students were encouraged to focus on the "words on the page" rather than pre-existing knowledge about the author.
Practical Criticism aims to develop an "organised response," which involves close attention to details, careful consideration of word meanings, and an understanding of personal emotional reactions to the text.

Four Types of Meaning

Every piece of writing (including poetry) contains four types of meaning, as per I.A. Richards.
Sense: The literal meaning of the words and statements.
Feeling: The author's emotional response to the topic.
Tone: The author's attitude towards the audience or reader.
Intention: The author's purpose or goal in writing.

Examples of Dominant Meaning Types in Different Genres

Scientific Writing: "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius."
- Sense: Dominates, offering clear factual information.
- Feeling: Limited - objective, detached.
- Tone: Professional, formal.
- Intention: To inform.
Political Speech: "We shall fight on the beaches!"
- Sense: Clear reference to a location.
- Feeling: Dominant, evoking emotional response in the audience.
- Tone: Inspiring, rallying.
- Intention: To motivate and unite.

Importance of Practical Criticism

Crucial for analyzing unseen texts in subjective exams (e.g., poems).
Helps to evaluate multiple layers of meaning in texts.
Practical Criticism skills help with understanding diverse writing styles.

Key Works by I.A. Richards

The Meaning of Meaning (co-authored with C.K. Ogden)
Principles of Literary Criticism (1924)
Practical Criticism (1929)
The Philosophy of Rhetoric (1936)

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Description

Explore the concept of Practical Criticism, a literary analysis method developed by I.A. Richards. This quiz delves into the four types of meaning in literature: sense, feeling, tone, and intention. Understand how focusing on the text itself can enhance literary appreciation and interpretation.