Summary: The article deals with the problem of critical analysis of methodological heritage of teaching methods in the literature of the second half of XX - beginning of XXI century. The author examines basical scientific and methodological works on problems of studying epic work through measuring its content and form, identifies the most important scientific and methodological ideas of scientists which still occupy an important place in the theory and practice of teaching literature methodology.

Keywords: scientific heritage, methods of teaching literature, literary education, methodical idea, belleslettres, content and form of the work, analysis, path, method step.