Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing (10th Edition)

This anthology focuses on writing about literature which is integrated in every chapter. Each element (i.e. character, setting, tone) is covered by a sample student essay and commentary on the essay. 33 MLA —Format Demonstrative student essays serve as models for good student writing. Three NEW chapters on research–one each for fiction, poetry and drama–feature full MLA-style research papers annotated to point out research information specific to each genre. NEW-MLA document maps: These visual representations help students locate key information on frequently-cited sources such as books and websites. NEW "visualizing" sections on fiction, poetry and drama each feature a section devoted to images that represent key literary principles or visual-based media within the genre. Color insert—This insert features works of art and connects them to various pieces of literature throughout the book. These images help reinforce the themes found in the literature. Fifty short illustrative writing examples embody the strategies and methods described in the various chapters and appendices.

Customer Reviews:

Good instruction tool

By Knightley Emma - July 19, 2011

I have a friend (M.A. Lit) who uses this to teach literature to high school students. So, when I was looking around for something to use when I teach, I took a look at this (7th ed). I also looked at Perrine's literature book (recommended by a different friend) as well as Roberts' Writing About Literature. (Sorry; I can't figure out how to underline the title.)

The literature book is basically the same as Roberts' writing book. There are a handful of pages of additional lesson material in the writing book (like about films), and some (many?) of the illustrative examples are different. The literature book has much more material, though. Is that additional material necessary? I really didn't look that closely.

Perrine (8th ed) has fewer excerpts. However, I found that a good thing. There are definitely some excerpts in Roberts' book that I won't have my students read. I think Perrine was wise to be more selective (and still included all the "major" players as well... read more

Aesthetically uncomfortable, and stodgy content

By DeeKay "DeeKay" - April 19, 2012

This book is roughly 2,000 pages long, the font size too small to be easily readable, and the paper wafer-thin. There is a huge amount of stories, poems and drama - but once again difficult to read due to the small print and thin paper.

The authors' commentaries and insights are not easily comprehensible. There are long, flowery descriptions lauding the virtues of fine literature and poetry - but when it comes down to actually analyzing and dissecting a text, they have not imparted to the reader the skills to do so. At the end of each story / poem there are several cryptic questions that leave me floundering to answer. When I look up literary terms, the examples they give are trite and do not clearly convey the meaning of the term. For example, when discussing how to write down the "idea" a story expresses, the best part of a paragraph is spent explaining why the statement "It's a nice day" is not a mind-provoking observation of the weather. Rather, if one wants to express... read more

Purchased for class...

By kamcalste - February 19, 2013

Arrived in good condition. If you're ordering for something besides a class, there's actually a lot of decent short stories. If you're ordering for class, be warned - it's really thick and heavy, and the pages are tissue-paper thin. But it's a decent textbook overall.