Texts and Contexts: Writing About Literature with Critical Theory provides an accessible introduction to contemporary critical theoriesfrom new criticism to cultural studiesas part of the practice of writing about literature. An ideal supplement to any literature anthology, this text works in composition courses that introduce literature to freshman as well as in upper-level theory courses. Providing a wealth of writing strategies, the text explains the assumptions underlying the various critical theories, and then takes the students through the process of employing these methods to enrich their engagements with literature. This 3rd Edition includes a new Chapter 1, An Introduction, Theoretically as well as updated coverage of research and the Internet.