Ways of Reading is a best-selling textbook for undergraduate students of English Language and English Literature, providing readers with the tools to analyse and interpret the meanings of literary and non-literary texts.
Six sections, comprising twenty five self-contained units, cover:
techniques of analysis and problem-solving
language variation
attributing meaning
poetic uses of language
narrative
drama and performance texts
The book combines the linguistic and literary background to each topic with discussion of examples from books, poems, magazines and online sources, and links those examples to follow-up practical activities and a list of titles for further reading.
This fourth edition has been redesigned and updated throughout, with many fresh examples and exercises. Further reading suggestions have been brought up to date and new material on electronic sources and the Internet has been integrated. Ways of Reading continues to be the core resource for students of English Language and Literature.
Six sections, comprising twenty five self-contained units, cover:
techniques of analysis and problem-solving
language variation
attributing meaning
poetic uses of language
narrative
drama and performance texts
The book combines the linguistic and literary background to each topic with discussion of examples from books, poems, magazines and online sources, and links those examples to follow-up practical activities and a list of titles for further reading.
This fourth edition has been redesigned and updated throughout, with many fresh examples and exercises. Further reading suggestions have been brought up to date and new material on electronic sources and the Internet has been integrated. Ways of Reading continues to be the core resource for students of English Language and Literature.
Praise for the first edition:
'Ways of Reading is a valuable and immensely usable book ... More than fills a major gap.' - Literature & Language
'This is a clear and incisive introduction to main issues in the critical study of literature.' - Robin Jarvis, University of the West of England, UK
Praise for the third edition:
'...ground-breaking... The academic underpinning is just where it should be, in the background, allowing prominence for the much more important idea that looking at reading in new ways gives new insights and new pleasures... This is an ideal book for teachers of English at all levels... Third editions can sometimes seem to be marginally altered versions of the previous editions. It is certainly not the case here. Do read this superb book.' - Adrian Beard, NATE
'Ways of Reading is a valuable and immensely usable book ... More than fills a major gap.' - Literature & Language
'This is a clear and incisive introduction to main issues in the critical study of literature.' - Robin Jarvis, University of the West of England, UK
Praise for the third edition:
'...ground-breaking... The academic underpinning is just where it should be, in the background, allowing prominence for the much more important idea that looking at reading in new ways gives new insights and new pleasures... This is an ideal book for teachers of English at all levels... Third editions can sometimes seem to be marginally altered versions of the previous editions. It is certainly not the case here. Do read this superb book.' - Adrian Beard, NATE