Language is complex. Written or spoken, the complexity of language makes the medium the versatile tool we need but also creates the potential for a wide variety of misunderstandings and mistakes. Whether we are attempting to understand a piece of fiction or writing a text to make our thoughts comprehensible to others, the complexity of language is both necessary and fraught. That said, the inevitable pitfalls don’t mean we need to sacrifice precision or accuracy. This guide is a step by step process that offers hands-on methods for accurate analysis and precise essay construction. Chapter one deals with a variety of methods by which to approach stories and novels such that your analysis is structured on carefully constructed, logical progression founded on the primary text rather than on hunches and guesswork, and chapter two offers infrastructures and scaffolding on which any essay can be structured. The structures included in chapter two are not a template and thus do not limit style or content; rather, they are based on a series of tasks that must be completed for an argument to be convincing. As such, the tasks offer a kind of map through the process of essay writing that always indicates your next step. Contrary to accepted mythologies about analyzing fiction and writing essays, neither is a guessing game, and this text can help you remove the guesswork from your own process.

This outstanding practical guide to writing analytical essays on literature develops interpretive skills through focused exercises and modeled examples. The program is tailored to meet the specific needs of beginning undergraduates. Features unique, detailed guidance on paragraph structure Includes sample essays throughout to model each stage of the essay-writing process Focused exercises develop the techniques outlined in each chapter Dedicated checklists enable quick, accurate assessment by teachers and students Enhanced glossary with advice on usage added to core definitions

In Ursula K. Le Guin, Consent, and Metaphor, Kate Sheckler constructs a new method to categorize metaphor, arguing that the moment of consent that exists in the form determines the effects of the interchange. Using the fiction of Ursula K. Le Guin, with the work of Paul Ricoeur as a primary theoretical focus, Sheckler identifies both the dangers and necessity of understanding the interplay that determines by whom and at what point consent is offered within the dynamic shift that occurs in metaphor. In doing so, she identifies the way marginalized groups and cultures can be reconstructed in service to an outside force and notes the absolute necessity of metaphor as a constructive force in a world where we must imagine new ways to approach the future.

Write It Short, Sell It Now Short stories and personal essays have never been hotter--or more crucial for a successful writing career. Earning bylines in magazines and literary journals is a terrific way to get noticed and earn future opportunities in both short- and long-form writing. Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays capitalizes on the popularity of these genres by instructing on the two key steps to publishing short works: crafting excellent pieces and successfully submitting them. You'll learn how to: • Develop different craft elements--including point of view, character, dialogue, scene writing, and more--specifically for short stories and essays. • Recognize the qualities of excellent short works, using examples from recently published stories and essays in major journals. • Understand the business of writing short, from categorizing your work and meeting submission guidelines to networking and submitting to writing contests. • Master the five-step process for submitting and selling like a pro. Featuring advice and examples from a multitude of published authors, Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays is a must-have for any writer's bookshelf.

The identification of elements and approaches in drama, fiction, and poetry can enhance readers' enjoyment, but without a guide to these literary conventions, many readers miss out. This brief, affordable, and accessible handbook of literary terms complements courses, including introduction to literature, literature for composition, American literature, British literature, and introduction to literary studies. In clear, concise, and user-friendly language, the book defines terms---and illuminates them with contemporary, multicultural examples from a variety of literary genres. --Book Jacket.

Book Description: This widely used text provides invaluable guidelines for reading literature creatively. It presents various critical approaches to studying and evaluating the elements of literature, including fiction, drama and poetry.