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## Edited Text in Academic Style

The achievements of literary studies over the past three decades have been substantial, contrary to the assertions of critics and detractors. During this period, a significant body of research has been published in the form of doctoral dissertations, scholarly articles, and comprehensive monographs on literary works and authors.
The divergent attitudes towards literature and literary studies have given rise to two distinct approaches: micro and macro literary studies. This article examines the predominance of micro-literary studies and the absence of macro-literary studies in the recent three decades. Furthermore, it acknowledges that recent research findings have called into question or discredited some of the renowned narratives and theories of reference in Persian literature. The article elucidates why, despite the wealth of research, a comprehensive theory of reference has yet to emerge in the field of literature.