Writing About Literature

Writers are sometimes asked to review a work of literature, either a classic or a newly published work. There are many ways to go about this type of review, but a process that makes the most sense is the macro-micro approach. This approach suggests that you take care of understanding the larger issues first before launching into analyzing the specifics of any work. For example, knowing what type of work it is (fiction vs. nonfiction, story vs. essay, etc.), what genre it belongs to (fantasy, romance, memoir, sci-fi, etc.), and what viewpoint it is written from (first person story, third person academic essay, etc.). Making sure you have a good handle on what type of writing you're reviewing is crucial to writing a coherent and meaningful review of it. This is especially true given, for example, the current blurring of lines between fiction and nonfiction and the creation of a new type of writing called "creative nonfiction." The distinctions between types of writing are not as clearly defined as they used to be. So it is only after having a good grasp of these larger issues that it makes sense to tackle the more specific intricacies such as plot, theme, structure, etc. Hand in hand with this approach is making sure that you fundamentally understand the work, that it makes sense to you and resonates with you. If it doesn't, your review of it will likely be confusing and ineffective. Remember that your goal in any review is to make the work clearer and more meaningful to readers, not less so. By using a systematic approach to writing a thoughtful review, progressing from macro-analysis to micro-analysis, you will create a deeper experience for readers as well as add your unique perspective to the overall view of the work.