The feminist critique focuses on the point of view of women in writing and literature. This perspective focuses on issues central to the feminist movement. Social concerns become a heavy focus through this perspective and particular focus is placed on the actions of women in writing and how they react to the story. Begin by asking yourself how a piece addresses the female perspective and how women in the piece are depicted.
Born from the feminist critique, gender criticism focuses on gender issues from various angles. Men’s issues become a focus, as do the social concerns of homosexuals and women. Gender is seen as more of a point of identification than a physiological fact. Evaluate characters with regard to their interrelations and social expectations of each other. Consider events and the expectations they place on the characters. Begin by reviewing the interrelation of characters along gender lines and asking yourself what those relations insist about gender roles.
The process of new criticism involves a close reading of the material and an assessment based solely on what was written. New criticism insists that there is only one correct way to read a work. Outside information regarding the author or society are rejected through new criticism. This technique guards against the literary tendency to read too much into literature. Begin by asking yourself what is on the page and what it speaks to within the context of the writing.
Reader response focuses on the reaction of the audience to a piece of writing. The suggestion is that a work of writing is only truly complete when read and the reaction of the audience completes the text. Reader response is the most natural assessment technique, where each new reader has the freedom to read into the text from a different perspective. Begin by asking yourself how the piece relates to you and your life.
Writer-centered criticism requires an intensive study of the author of a piece of writing. The author's life, ideas and social context become significant facts of consideration. This technique is built upon the idea that all writing is done with purpose and is an intentional product of its author. Specific instances with a piece are often psychoanalyzed with the intention of discovering authorial intent. Begin by reviewing the life and times of the author and asking how the piece relates to his life.