English 5250: Studies in Middle English Literature

Secondary Criticism Summary Template

• Author of Article:
• Title of Article:

• Summarize the argument of the essay in a sentence:

• Summarize the argument of the essay in a paragraph or two:

• Does the argument respond to a previous critical consensus or to other critics? How does the article represent those other positions?

• Within what kind of context does the article offer its claims: cultural/historical, formal/literary, philsophical/religious, psychological, etc.?

• What is the article’s best or most convincing use of evidence (and what kind of evidence is used)?

• How does the opening paragraph or two serve to attract the interest of the reader?