Practical criticism underlies everything students of English literature do. It is a way of reading the text closely, but with a grasp of the larger issues involved. This book is a practical, step-by-step guide which shows the student how to gain a sense of what a poem or passage of prose or drama is about, how to analyse it and how to build a successful essay. Easy to read and uncluttered by technical vocabulary, it will prove an invaluable resource for any student.

Autorentext

Martin Coyle is Professor of English Literature at Cardiff University, UK.

Zusammenfassung
Practical criticism underlies everything students of English literature do. This book is a practical, step-by-step guide which shows the student how to gain a sense of what a poem or passage of prose or drama is about, how to analyse it and how to build a successful essay.

Inhalt
Acknowledgements.- Preface.- PART 1: POETRY Why 'Practical Criticism'?.- Understanding Poetry.- Understanding a Poem: Some Examples Building a Response.- Discussing a Detail, Building a Case.- Twenty Questions.- Technical Terms.- Writing a Poetry.- Practical Criticism.- Essay Taking Things Further.- PART 2: PROSE Understanding a Passage of Prose.- Understanding a Passage of Prose: Some Examples Building a Response Discussing a Detail, Building a Case.- Writing a Prose Practical Criticism Essay.- PART 3: DRAMA Understanding an Extract from a Play.- Building a Response.- Writing a Drama.- Practical Criticism.- Essay.- Further Reading.