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.
Table of contents:
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
Table of contents:
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