Critical Teory and Practice answers lots of questions, but also stimulates new ones. Its tailor-made combination of survey, reader and workbook is ideal for the beginning - perhaps even bewildered - student of literary theory.

The work is divided into seven chapters, each of which contains guiding commentary, examples from literary and critical works, and a variety of exercises to provoke and engage you. Each chapter includes a glossary and annotated selection of suggested further reading. There is also a full bibliography.

The authors cover the key issues and debates of literary theory, including:

* Language, Linguistics and Literature

* Structures of Literature

* Literature and History

* Subjectivity, Psychoanalysis and Criticism

* Reading, Writing and Reception

* Women, Literature and Criticism

* Literature, Criticism and Cultural Identity

Critical Theory and Practice is an refreshingly clear, up-to-date and eminently readable introduction to the subject. It not only guides you through the terminology and gives you a selection of the key passages to read, it also helps you engage with the theory and apply it in practice.