The first systematic textbook for a special course, which can also be used in the courses “Introduction to Literary Studies”, “Theory of Literature”. The purpose of the manual is to teach how to competently analyze both a work as a whole and its individual aspects: themes, problems, ideological world, artistic speech, plot, composition, etc. It contains the basics of methodology and a system of methodological techniques for working with a work, specific examples of analysis, mainly works of Russian classics. Materials for independent work (test questions, exercises, etc.) are aimed at practical mastery of the course. The manuscript of the textbook received a grant as a result of the “General Humanities Education” competition held by the Russian Ministry of Education jointly with the Russian-American Foundation “Cultural Initiative” in 1993