Literature as a pedagogical tool: developing critical thinking through literary analysis in the classroom ; La literatura como Herramienta Pedagógica: Desarrollo del Pensamiento Crítico a Través del Análisis Literario en el Aula

Literature, beyond its aesthetic dimension, represents a key pedagogical tool for strengthening critical thinking within educational processes. Its analysis in the classroom enables students to interpret, reflect upon, and take positions on various realities, fostering an active attitude towards knowledge and society. This research, organised as a systematic review following the PRISMA methodology, examines how literary analysis can be utilised to enhance the development of critical thinking in school contexts. It is considered that, when approached comprehensively and formatively, literature facilitates argumentation, dialogue, and the construction of independent judgments. Nonetheless, traditional approaches centred on memorisation and content transmission persist, limiting its formative impact. The review shows that the effective use of literary analysis drives deep reflective processes, which are essential for holistic education. Furthermore, the importance of the teacher’s role and the need to renew pedagogical practices are emphasised to harness literature’s transformative potential. Thus, it is argued that the critical integration of literary works in the classroom can significantly contribute to the formation of students with autonomous thinking, critical capacity, and civic awareness. ; La literatura, más allá de su dimensión estética, representa una herramienta pedagógica clave para fortalecer el pensamiento crítico en los procesos educativos. Su análisis en el aula permite a los estudiantes interpretar, reflexionar y adoptar posturas frente a diversas realidades, promoviendo una actitud activa hacia el conocimiento y la sociedad. Esta investigación, organizada como una revisión sistemática bajo la metodología PRISMA, examina cómo el análisis literario puede utilizarse para potenciar el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico en contextos escolares. Se considera que, cuando se aborda de forma comprensiva y formativa, la literatura facilita la argumentación, el diálogo y la construcción de juicios propios. ...