Theory into Practice: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

by Ann B. Dobie

Overview

Beginning with more accessible critical approaches and gradually introducing more challenging critical perspectives, THEORY INTO PRACTICE provides extensive step-by-step guidance for writing literary analyses. This brief, practical introduction to literary theory explores core theories in a unique chronological format and includes an anthology of relevant fiction, poetry, and nonfiction to help bring those theories to life. Remarkably readable and engaging, the text makes even complex concepts manageable for those beginning to think about literary theory, and example analyses for each type of criticism show how real students have applied the theories to works included in the anthology. Now updated with the latest scholarship, including a full discussion of Eco-criticism and increased emphasis on American multicultural approaches, THEORY INTO PRACTICE provides an essential foundation for thoughtful and effective literary analysis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781285052441
Publisher:	Cengage Learning
Publication date:	01/01/2014
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	11.00(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Ann B. Dobie is Professor Emerita of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she directed graduate studies in rhetoric and the university's writing-across-the-curriculum program. She is the author or coauthor of six college writing textbooks, compiler and editor of three literary anthologies, and author of numerous articles on literature and composition. Her latest books are WIDE AWAKE IN THE PELICAN STATE: CONTEMPORARY LOUISIANA STORIES (available in 2007) and FIFTY-EIGHT DAYS IN THE CAJUNDOME SHELTER, which will be available in early 2008. For 13 years, she served as director of the National Writing Project of Acadiana. She is now State Coordinator of the Louisiana Writing Project and a consultant to the National Writing Project.

Table of Contents

Preface. Acknowledgments. To the Student: An Introduction to Theory into Practice. 1. The Relationship of Reading and Writing. 2. Familiar Approaches. 3. Formalism. 4. Psychological Criticism. 5. Marxist Criticism. 6. Feminist Criticism. 7. Reader-Response Criticism. 8. Deconstruction. 9. Cultural Studies: New Historicism. 10. More Cultural Studies: Post-colonialism and Multiculturalism. 11. Eco-criticism: Literature Goes Green. Literary Selections. Appendix: A Short History of Literary Criticism. Glossary of Terms Used in Literary Criticism.