Writing About Literature

by Edgar V. Roberts

Covering a wide range of literary topics, this classic textbook utilizes a process approach to writing that includes readings and sample essays. Each chapter begins with a discussion of an important literary topic - such as character, setting, and point of view. To relate this material to students' writing needs, each chapter concludes with guides to writing about the topic, followed by a sample essay, a brief analysis of that sample, and a list of special writing topics. Principles are illustrated by references to the twenty-nine stories, poems, and plays included throughout the book and in a special appendix.

Genres: Writing, Teaching, Textbooks, Education, Nonfiction, School, Reference

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Nora Taller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me great insight on literary analysis, but I did not pick this up on my own free will. I had to read this for school. And I would not suggest reading this book in its entirety. Its just not particularly necessary and really boring. But if you need to know more about literary analysis and essay writing, select chaptors may be a good fit.

[Jane Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I regard this as The Literature Bible. This is a MUST for aspiring academics in want of learning the ART and Contextualizing SKILLS of writing all forms of literature.

[Catherine John · Rating 1 out of 5]

if you want to know how to write a paper... don't read this. Klink will scream at you for asking.

[Jonathan Brammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a paint-by-numbers guide to writing literary essays. Geared towards undergraduates, a lot of the information should have already been covered in an AP high school class, and the stories and poetry is chosen because they easily illustrate the Roberts' concepts and terms. Most literary analysis is not so straigtforward as this. The most useful chapter is the detailed outline of basic prosody - nobody knows what an ampibrach or bacchius is off the top of his head.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas, but most of the literature he references is too obscure to be of use to me. I'm translating a lot of his teaching ideas into twenty-first century possibilities. I feel like this might have been a book one of my English teachers used in the early 90s.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only wish I'd had this book in high school. I might have understood what my English teachers were trying to get out of me a little better. This is an excellent guide for high school and college students taking literature courses.

[L.E. Fidler · Rating 2 out of 5]

i have to read this for school. because i make my students read it.
and i think it's only fair for me to suffer as well.

but, damn, is it dry writing...

[Thalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous resource for my writing (which needs all the help it can get) Again, I find I need a little more sometimes but this a is definitely a solid reference book. Easily four stars.