Explore why your topic/perspective/argument is valuable. Why do authors include elements within texts that have multiple “uses”? Discuss what we as readers gain from recognizing that a text has many interpretations.

Literary Critisism on August Wilson’s play Fences

Depending on your individual topic, your essay structure will differ. Below is a suggested strategy that you can adapt for
your individual project.
Typically critical essays like yours have parts, or sections of information that have to be shared in order to write an
effective criticism. While the introduction and conclusion are single paragraphs, the additional “sections” mean more
than one paragraph is needed to develop the ideas fully. For this essay consider this organization:
Introduction + Two (2) or Three (3) Sections + Conclusion.
Introduction
This paragraph sets up the kind of discussion the paper will enter. Remember that a Literary Criticism essay is your
foray into an existing critical conversation.
Options
(choose one or blend more than one—do NOT do all):
 Explore why your topic/perspective/argument is valuable.
 Examine the issue/topic broadly—why do authors include elements (literary elements and other details) within
texts that have multiple “uses”?
 Discuss what we as readers gain from recognizing that a text has many interpretations.
 Primarily for historical criticism: set the historical “feel” for your analysis? Where/When are we? What’s
important about it?