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.
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.
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Ann B. Dobie
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.
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The chapter on eco-criticism, a critical perspective that is still developing, has been updated. Called “Literature Goes Green,” it includes historical background to the movement, explains its purpose and principles, offers suggestions for how to read and write as an eco-critic, provides a glossary of common terms, and supplies a model student eco-critical essay of a literary work.
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A new appendix on the history of literary criticism has been added, which surveys the major ideas in the field beginning with Plato and continuing to the point at which this text begins its discussions. The appendix provides an understanding of what people have valued about literature through the ages and how today’s literary theories have evolved.
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A list of key terms has been added to the end of each chapter as an easy study reference for students.
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The glossary has been expanded. New terms have been added and some of the definitions have been more fully developed.
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Also there are three new student model essays, including new analyses for the psychological, formalist, and eco-critical approaches.
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The chapter on eco-criticism, a critical perspective that is still developing, has been updated. Called “Literature Goes Green,” it includes historical background to the movement, explains its purpose and principles, offers suggestions for how to read and write as an eco-critic, provides a glossary of common terms, and supplies a model student eco-critical essay of a literary work.
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A new appendix on the history of literary criticism has been added, which surveys the major ideas in the field beginning with Plato and continuing to the point at which this text begins its discussions. The appendix provides an understanding of what people have valued about literature through the ages and how today’s literary theories have evolved.
-
A list of key terms has been added to the end of each chapter as an easy study reference for students.
-
The glossary has been expanded. New terms have been added and some of the definitions have been more fully developed.
-
Also there are three new student model essays, including new analyses for the psychological, formalist, and eco-critical approaches.
-
From the beginning, this book has been a “teaching text.” That is, it has included numerous pedagogical aids. The fourth edition expands those features in an effort to facilitate student use. The following assistance is provided for each school of criticism: Concise historical literary background. Guidelines for reading as a critic. Guidelines for writing each stage of a critical analysis. A list of helpful suggested readings. Access to a comprehensive list of websites. A useful glossary of terms. At least one model student essay. Lists of questions to assist student thinking. In addition, several more comprehensive pedagogical aids follow the explanatory chapters. They include literary selections for quick and easy reference; a comprehensive, fully articulated glossary of critical terms; and Information at a Glance, a succinct summary of the purposes, assumptions, strategies, strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
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To help you write more effective literary analyses, the following assistance is provided for each school of criticism: Concise historical literary background. Guidelines for reading as a critic. Guidelines for writing each stage of a critical analysis. A list of helpful suggested readings. Access to a comprehensive list of websites. A useful glossary of terms. At least one model student essay. Lists of questions to assist student thinking. In addition, several more comprehensive pedagogical aids follow the explanatory chapters. They include literary selections for quick and easy reference; a comprehensive, fully articulated glossary of critical terms; and Information at a Glance, a succinct summary of the purposes, assumptions, strategies, strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Web Site for Dobie's Theory into Practice, 4th
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