Explication de Texte
Explication de Texte is a French formalist method of literary analysis that allows for limited reader response, similar to close reading in the English-speaking literary tradition. It was particularly advocated by Gustave Lanson.
It is primarily a pedagogical tool, similar to a formal book report.
A simple format for writing an Explication de Texte is this:
- A brief overview of what happened literally— not figuratively
- The structuring of the literature (e.g. Was it a sonnet? What kind?) and the tone throughout the piece
- The poetic devices used throughout the literature (e.g. personification)
- Conclusion. You can finally include the deeper side of the literature— the actual meaning of it