Is there such a thing as a study guide for classics?

[Shari]

I have been using the Teaching Company lectures to beef up my self-education in the Classics, but I was wondering if there was any type of workbook based study guide for analysis. I guess I'm looking for something that requires more work from me than reading Cliff's Notes, and is more structured than just my personal reading notes.

Any ideas?

[Chris in VA]

You might like the Progeny Press guides. We've used the Frankenstein one--it was ok.

Have you read The Well-Educated Mind? It gives questions for each "kind" of classic work--for example, the novel, or historical works. It's really very good.

[Lori D.]

In addition to the Progeny Press guides already mentioned:


Sparknotes = http://www.sparknotes.com/home/literature
Free online literature guides. Background info on author and his/her times. Very detailed analysis of themes, symbolism, literary elements, etc. A few discussion questions; 2-4 writing assignment ideas.


Glencoe = http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/
Free online literature guides. Lots of background info on author and his/her times. Worksheets and written helps for analyzing the work. Discussion questions and writing assignment ideas.


The Great Books = http://www.thegreatbooks.com/index
Audio lectures on various literary works. Literature guides, with some background info on author and his/her times. Worldview-based thinking/discussion questions with meaty responses to those questions.


Garlic Press publishers Literature Guides = http://garlicpress.com/cgi-bin/shop_gp.cgi?product=LITERATURE
Lots of background info on author and his/her times. Detailed chapter summaries; 8-10 great discussion questions for every chapter; several teaching units in every guide on various literary elements or topics, using specific examples from the work being read, plus reference to other classic literature. Great writing assignment ideas. Addition activity ideas and resources.


Well Educated Mind
Book which lays out how to read/analyze literature, with lots of classic book suggestions and thumbnail summaries/analyses. Read through the first few chapters to learn how to read/annotate/think/discuss classic works.

[Beth in SW WA]

I have been using the Teaching Company lectures to beef up my self-education in the Classics, but I was wondering if there was any type of workbook based study guide for analysis. I guess I'm looking for something that requires more work from me than reading Cliff's Notes, and is more structured than just my personal reading notes.

Any ideas?

I'm using Omnibus I for ancients, as well as TWEM, as Chris & Lori mentioned. It's worth the $20 bucks or whatever its going for these days at Amazon. SWB has a great writing style.

I also just bought Drew/Plaid Dad's new study guide for the Iliad. I just posted about this a few days ago. I'll bump that thread up for you.

I'm a total ignoramus on the classics. I'm thankful for this group here to bounce ideas off of.