What Is The Tool Of The Trade Of Criticism?

The students of literature are varying often asked to comment on passages of prose and verse. The purpose is to find out how much of what they have read, they understand and whether they can give evidence of elementary critical ability. When the words 'comment' 'criticize' 'or 'appreciate' are used without further elucidation.

They must be understood as a formula asking the various qualities of the passage (Thought, Feeling, Mood, Atmosphere, the various attributes of style etc.) should be indicated and discussed. The purpose of exercise in 'Practical Criticism' is to train the students of literature to perceive and describe the differences of quality and kind in language. They need knowledge of the tools of this trade of criticism, with this in view, the following glossary have been prepared to give help in this direction.

It briefly notes the various kinds of poetry, outlines prosody and the chief poetic devices, and enumerates the principal English merits, attempts to give adequate definitions of the main qualities of language and style. Suggests some of the more important influence upon poetic style, and finally defines figures of speech. By constant references to this glossary, the students of literature can develop a critical vocabulary which will result in greater accuracy of vocabulary which will result in greater accuracy of expression.