When do you need to begin official literary analysis?

[Heather in VA]

I'm talking about real literary analysis beyond just talking about the book. Learning all the terms, writing analysis papers etc. I'm trying to decide between Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings and Omnibus II next year for my 8th grader. I'd rather do Omnibus because of the Christian viewpoint, variety of books beyond LOTR etc. But LLoLOTR has alot more true literary analysis. Should I be doing more of that or can that be really a high school study?

Thanks

[Dayle in Guatemala]

I'm not familiar with LLfrom LOTR or Omnibus--(sorry), but, I think it's a great time, before high school to get them used to researching, using the correct terms, and learning to document a paper correctly. Have you looked at Lightning Literature 8?

[Lori D.]

A good book for the middle school years to learn about various literary elements (and then we can point them out as we see them in various literature we read) is "Figuratively Speaking: Using Classic Literature to Teach 40 Literary Terms" by Delanna Heidrich, published by The Learning Works. Rainbow Resource Catalog sells it for $12.25; it is $16 elsewhere. Paperback; 136 pages, with answers included.

We do about 2 literary elements a week (each takes maybe 10 minutes). Each literary element is covered in 3 pages: definition of the literary element; examples of how its used in well-known literature; some exercises for practicing seeing/using the literary element (with answers in the back of the book); 1-3 ideas for further exercises or writing assignments using that literary element.

Just wanted to let you know that Tolkien, the author of Lord of the Rings, was a Christian, and his Christian worldview is subtly but *beautifully* woven all through the trilogy. Also, the authors of Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings (LLfLotR) are also Christians, and have placed optional, extra questions throughout the study pointing you to Scripture, or to Christian morals/interpretations. It will certainly be more subtle than Omnibus, though.

If you can *at all* work LLftLofR into your schedule, I *highly* recommend you do so. We are doing it this year with our 8th and 9th grade boys ALONG with 4-6 ancient classics, PLUS a variety of solo reading that either goes with ancient history or that are classic works that 8th/9th graders should read. The discussions we are having as a result of LLfLotR keep carrying over into our discussions on the ancient epics -- wonderful way to begin literary analysis and see how it applies to all types of literature!

We're doing LLftLotR aloud together, skimming the vocabulary and comprehension questions, and spending most of our time on the "meat" of the program -- the additional notes for each chapter (in which literary terms, themes, and other topics are discussed), and the discussion questions, and the additional units (which include abridged analysis of Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and some poetry). The readings take us about 2 hours a week (we do it in the evenings together as family time), and doing the study guide takes about 2 hours a week.

See sample pages of LLftLotR at Home Scholar Books:
http://www.homescholar.org/samples.htm


One other thought is the Lightning Literature and Composition for 8th grade -- a full year of reading complete classic works (realistic novels, fantasy novel, biography, short stories, and poetry) and exposure to specific literary elements, plus beginning literary analysis (especially by the end of the program). Knowing what a full schedule Omnibus gives you, you could very likely do both LL8 and LLftLotR in 8th grade (along with Figuratively Speaking), and move onto Omnibus in 9th and have a VERY solid foundation in understanding what to look for in literature and how to write about literature.

See sample unit at Hewitt Homeschooling:
http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight.asp


Sigh... So many good programs out there, and so little time! BEST of luck in deciding! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[8FillTheHeart]

My answer is also that 8th grade is a good time. We are really enjoying LL from LOTR. I have spent way more time on the units than intended, so we have covered the Illiad, etc.

I don't regret spending the yr on LOTR at all. The study covers so much more than the books. They learn about linguistics, influences of ballads, etc, development of writing, etc.

[OhElizabeth]

Heather, VP schedules LOTR in 6th grade literature and has a study guide for it. On some books, they cover them twice, both in elementary and again in high school. Is it possible they'll be covering LOTR again more deeply in a year of Omnibus and you just haven't gotten there yet? I think someone said they do that with Narnia.

[angela in ohio]

A good book for the middle school years to learn about various literary elements (and then we can point them out as we see them in various literature we read) is "Figuratively Speaking: Using Classic Literature to Teach 40 Literary Terms" by Delanna Heidrich, published by The Learning Works. Rainbow Resource Catalog sells it for $12.25; it is $16 elsewhere. Paperback; 136 pages, with answers included.

I second this! I have used this book both at home and to supplement a Jr. Great Books class, and it is excellent.