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. The method involves a detailed yet relatively objective examination of structure, style, imagery, and other aspects of a work. 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: