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Literary Theory & Frameworks

Resources for choosing and applying a theoretical lens

Using Theory in Your Project

Your final project needs to be grounded in some kind of analytical lens — a literary theory, critical framework, historical lens, or cultural lens. The resources below can help you choose a framework and understand it well enough to apply it to the literature.

Course Readings

  • What Is Literary Theory and Why Do We Need It?

    Our course reading by Alice Lopez. Introduces what literary theory is and provides an overview of 12 major frameworks. A good starting point for choosing a lens.

  • Critical Race Theory (1970s–present)

    An in-depth overview of CRT as a theoretical and interpretive framework, including its history, key scholars, common questions, important terms, and recommended sources for further research. Particularly relevant for this course. Originally from the Purdue OWL, adapted by Octaviano Gutierrez.

External Resources

  • Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed

    Don’t let the title put you off — this book actually covers most of the major theoretical frameworks really well, with readable explanations and enough depth to help you apply a framework to your project. Available as an e-book through the Macomb Library. (requires Macomb login)

    Individual chapters from this book are also available as PDFs:

  • Aesthetics, Theory, and Interpretation (PDF)

    Paolo Euron. Covers the relationship between art and culture, along with several major frameworks: post-structuralism (p. 185), deconstructionism (p. 194), and postmodernism (p. 211). Chapter 28 (p. 202) also briefly covers feminist theory, gender theory, queer theory, new historicism, postcolonial theory, and cultural materialism.

  • Literary Theory Frameworks (PDF)

    A detailed overview of major literary theory frameworks from the Purdue OWL. More depth than the course reading — useful for understanding a specific framework well enough to apply it. (external link)

  • Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Literary Theory

    Peer-reviewed, open-access encyclopedia written by specialists for non-specialists. Has a dedicated literary theory entry plus individual entries on major thinkers. Citable as a scholarly source. (external link)

  • LibreTexts: Creating Literary Analysis

    OER textbook with chapters on specific frameworks (feminist, postcolonial, racial/ethnic, etc.). Written specifically for applying theory to literature. The postcolonial and racial/ethnic theory chapters are particularly relevant for this course. Citable. (external link)