Dedicated to the interlocking processes of reading and writing, this book contains carefully chosen literary selections, and each chapter contains detailed information on and sample essays for writing about literature.

Features of the fifth edition include strengthened introductions to literary topics and fresh, new selections. The new edition also places greater emphasis on research writing and on critical approaches to literature.

Introduction: Reading, Responding to, and Writing about Literature
What Is Literature, and Why do We Study It? Types of Literatures: The Genres
Reading Literature and Responding to It Actively
The Necklace
Reading and Responding in a Notebook or Computer File
Guidelines for Reading
Writing Essays on Literary Topics
The Goal of Writing: To Show a Process of Thought
Three Major Stages in Thinking and Writing: Discovering Ideas, Making Initial Drafts, and Completing the Essay
Discovering Ideas ("Brainstorming")
The Need to Present an Argument when Writing Essays about Literature
Assembling Materials and Beginning to Write
Drafting the Essay
Writing by Hand, Typewriter, or Word-Processor
Writing a First Draft
Using Verb Tenses in the Discussion of Literary Works
Developing an Outline
Using References and Quotations
Demonstrative Student Essay (First Draft): How Setting in "The Necklace" Is Related to the Character of Mathilde
Developing and Strengthening Essays through Revision
Checking Development and Organization
Using Exact, Comprehensive, and Forceful Language
Using the Names of Authors
Demonstrative Student Essay (Improved Draft): How Maupassant Uses Setting in "The Necklace" to Show the Character of Mathilde
Easy Commentaries
Specials Topics for Writing and Argument about the Writing Process
Reading and Writing about Fiction
Fiction an Overview
Modern Fiction
The Short Story
Elements of Fiction I: Verisimilitude and DonnFe
Elements of Fiction II: Character, Plot, Structure, and Idea or Theme
Elements of Fiction III: The Writer's Tools
Stories for Study:Raymond Carver, Neighbors
Night Talkers
A Rose for Emily
The Things They Carried
Everyday Use
Plot: The Motivation and Causation of Fiction
Writing about the Plot of a Story
Illustrative Student Essay: Plot in Faulkner's"A Rose for Emily"
Special Topics for Writing and Argument about Plot in Fiction
Structure: The Organization of Stories
The Structure of Fiction
Formal Categories of Structure
Formal and Actual Structure
Stories for Study:Laurie Colwin, An Old-Fashioned Story
Battle Royal
Katherine Mansfield
A Worn Path
Blue Winds Dancing
Writing about Structure in a Story
Illustrative Student Essay: The Structure of Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path."
Special Topics for Writing and Argument about Plot and Structure
Characters: The People in Fiction
Character Traits
How Authors Disclose Character in Literature
Types of Characters: Round and Flat
Reality and Probability: Verisimilitude
Stories for Study:Willa Cather, Paul's Case
Barn Burning
A Jury of Her Peers
Shopping
Two Kinds
Writing about Character
Illustrative Student Essay: The Character of the Mother in Amy Tan's "Two Kinds"
Special Topics for Writing and Argument about Character
Point of View: The Position or Stance of the Narrator or Speaker
An Exercise in Point of View: Reporting an Accident
Conditions That Affect Point of View and Opinions
Determining a Work's Point of View
Mingling Points of View
Point of View and Verb Tense
Summary: Guidelines for Point of View
Stories for Study:Alice Adams The Last Lovely City
An Occurrence at OwlCreekBridge
The Song
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