The Edinburgh Introduction to Studying English Literature

What does university study of English Literature involve today? How should students read literary texts? Answers to these questions have substantially changed and developed over recent decades, often in response to advances in literary theory. In the light of this and other recent developments, the Edinburgh Introduction provides a new, updated guide for students beginning their study of literature today. Recent developments in theory are explained throughout, but they are not the only focus of attention. Instead, the emphasis is on clear, pragmatic explanation of critical practices, and of literary forms, styles and techniques. These explanations are carefully illustrated through examples taken from readily-available works - usually ones included in the Norton or other major anthologies. Each chapter is written by an experienced academic and teacher from Edinburgh University's Department of English Literature, recently reaffirmed as one of the best in the United Kingdom. The result is an unbeatable resource for new students: a well-stocked toolbox, offering foundational introductions to ways literary texts can be approached, and to the critical, formal and historical understanding this requires. New students will find essential insights on every page, guiding their understanding for years to come and thoroughly opening up for them all the imaginative promise of literary study. Key Features: * An up-to-the minute foundational guide for new students * Comprehensive range of literary forms, styles and critical strategies introduced * Careful exemplification, demonstrating reading strategies at work * Based on successful introductory courses in one of the UK's leading university literature departments * The texts discussed in the book generally appear in the Norton Anthology of English Literature

ISBN 0748640258   Pages 248 ISBN13 9780748640256 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 382 Publisher Edinburgh University Press   Published in Edinburgh Imprint Edinburgh University Press   Height (mm) 234 Format Paperback   Width (mm) 156 Publication date 09 Apr 2010   Spine width (mm) 15 DEWEY 820.9   Academic level Tertiary education DEWEY edition DC22

		Preface
Section I		Introductory		1
1		What is Literature? by Alex Thomson		3
2		English Literary Studies: Origins and Nature by Robert Irvine		16
3		Kinds of Literature by David Salter		25
Section II		Poetry		35
4		Poetry: An Introduction by Alan Gillis		37
5		Metre and Rhythm by Lee Spinks		47
6		Verse Forms by Penny Fielding		57
7		Poetic Imagery by Sarah M. Dunnigan		67
8		Poetry and History by Greg Walker		78
9		Vernacular Poetry by Colin Nicholson		88
Section III		Narrative		99
10		Genre and Form: The Short Story by Kenneth Millard		101
11		Narrative Language by Keith Hughes		110
12		Narrative Structure and Technique by Randall Stevenson		120
13		Constructing Character by Rajorshi Chakraborti		129
14		Narrative, Society and History by Aaron Kelly		139
15		Life Writing by Laura Marcus		148
Section IV		Drama		159
16		Introducing Drama by Roger Savage		161
17		Text and Performance by Olga Taxidou		171
18		Tragedy by Simon Malpas		180
19		Comedy by Jonathan Wild		189
20		History and Politics by Dermot Cavanagh		199
		More...

An up-to-date guide for students Each chapter is contributed by leading scholars from the University of Edinburgh. Times Higher Education An up-to-date guide for students Each chapter is contributed by leading scholars from the University of Edinburgh.

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