Back: Reading a Monograph

What is an anthology? An anthology is usually a group of essays (or excerpts from monographs or primary sources) that focus on a particular period or topic. Instructors often ask students to make comparisons among these essays or documents. An anthology usually will have an introduction that describes the topic and the way that each essay examines it. Be sure to read all introductions (whether for the anthology as a whole or a specific section). Anthologies usually have introductions to each essay, and it is important for you to read these as well.

When reading an anthology,

• Read the overall introduction.
• Read the introduction to each assigned essay (or document or excerpt).
• Identify the major theme (or thesis) of each assigned essay.
• Be prepared to compare these themes in class discussion or on an exam.
• If the anthology contains visual materials, be sure to examine them carefully. See Interpreting Illustrations.

• If the essays (or documents or excerpts) are in digital form (on the Web or on CD-ROM), be sure to take advantage of your ability to move back and forth between them to help make comparisons.