Introduction

    We have been examining informally this semester many great works of classic literature. We have discussed how their characters, plot progressions, and overall themes strike us as readers today. We also have discussed how these things would have been perceived by readers during the time in which the works were written. And finally, we have discussed the authors' backgrounds and their potential influence on the purpose and form of these works.
    However, there are many formal methods of literary analysis that are surprisingly less inclusive than ours in their examination processes. One such school of criticism is New Criticism.

    In this activity you will be educating yourself about New Critical analysis using multimedia information sources. Then, using that information, you will demonstrate your knowledge by identifying what characteristics of a New Critical essay indicate that it is from that school of literary criticism.

1. Read and take notes on the "New Criticism" section in your textbook on pages A18-A19.
2. Then, go to the Franklin College database page.
3. Select the Oxford Reference Online and do a Quick Search for definitions of "New Criticism."
4. Read definitions 1 and 4. I suggest you print them out.
5. Go to The Tennyson Page.
6. Select "Poems."
7. Then scroll to the bottom quarter of the poem list and select "Tears, Idle Tears."
8. Read the poem. I suggest you print it.

9. Then go to the Franklin College Library catalog.
10. Under "Select field to search," select "Author."
11. Then, search for "Cleanth Brooks."
12. Click on the title of book number 14: The Well Wrought Urn: Studies in the Structure of Poetry.
13. Using the now displayed title, author, and call number, find the book in the library and check it out. If needed, further help with this process is available at the library's reference desk on the first floor.
14. In this book, read the New Critical essay "The Motivation of Tennyson's Weeper" on pages 153-163.
15. Using the information you gathered from the textbook and from the Oxford Reference Online, you will write a paper citing examples from Brooks' "The Motivation of Tennyson's Weeper" that show it is an example of New Criticism.
16. The essay should be typed in 12 pt. font, double spaced, have an original title, and be 4-5 pages in length.
17. You will also need to include textual references, so please use the MLA style of parenthetical reference and works cited list. See your Scribner's Handbook for Writers from GE 102 for citation questions.
18. Submit a hard copy of your essay to me with your Mid-term Exam, and also email it to me as an attachment.

    Your essays will be graded according to the following matrix. Overall scores will correspond to letter grades as follows: 8=A, 7=B, 6=C, 5=D, and scores of 4 and below will receive an F.

	Unacceptable 1	Needs Improvement 2	Satisfactory 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Mechanics	Incomplete, contains numerous grammatical/ spelling and citation errors. No clear thesis or argument.	Mostly complete, but contains underdeveloped thesis and argument. Grammatical/ spelling and citation errors are noticeable.	Complete, contains clear thesis and argument, but could use further polishing of grammar/ spelling and citations.	Few or no grammatical/ spelling errors. Well developed thesis and argument. Correct methods of citation used.
Concepts	Displays no real understanding of the concepts. Lacks explanation. Fails to cite any sources.	Clearly understands some, but not all concepts. Explanation is likewise incomplete with virtually no citations.	Displays general understanding of concepts and gives them sufficient explanation, but uses citations ineffectively.	Clearly understands  all concepts and demonstrates  them clearly and succinctly with many citations.
Overall Score

    Having completed this project, you will now have a greater understanding of perhaps the most popular school of literary criticism in our time: New Criticism. What do you think of the New Critical style compared to our method of analysis in class? Which is better, in your opinion?