Explication is the process of drawing out the meaning of something which is not clearly defined, so as to make explicit what is currently left implicit. It is a term used in both analytic philosophy and literary criticism. In analytic philosophy, explication is a scientific process that transforms and replaces "an inexact prescientific concept" with a "new exact concept". In literary criticism, explication is a literary technique used for a close analysis of an excerpt or text taken from a lengthy piece of work.
Key points about explication include:
- Definition: Explication is the act of explaining something in detail, especially a piece of writing or an idea.
- Process: Explication involves making something clearer by carefully analyzing and explaining it.
- Outcome: The outcome of the process of explicating is called the explicative work itself.
- Examples: Explication can be used to analyze a poem, a piece of literature, or any other text.
Explication is neither a summary nor a rewording nor a paraphrase, but a commentary that reveals the meanings of a literary work. It usually tells about figures of speech, tone, setting, connotations, points of view, themes, contrasts, and anything else that could add to the meaning of a text.
