Extraordinarily diverse literature. The 50 stories, 225 poems, and 12 plays offer a captivating blend of highly teachable contemporary writing and a well-chosen selection canonical literature. Stimulating connections between the literature of the past and the present are highlighted by thematic writing assignments.
A uniquely accessible approach to reading and writing about literature. Clear, non-technical explanations of literary elements and innovative reference features such as boxed checklists and tips initiate even the most inexperienced students into the pleasures of reading and the challenges of writing about literature. Step-by-step writing help throughout the book includes a chapter each on writing about stories, poems, and plays, as well as a chapter on literary research.
Casebooks highlight a variety of approaches to literature. An author-in-depth casebook in the fiction section reprints stories by and criticism about Sherman Alexie; a thematic cluster in the poetry section takes a close look at the poetry of daily life, and a drama casebook takes an in-depth look at the contexts and criticism of August Wilson's Fences.