Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice, 5/e presents the thirteen basic schools of twentieth-century literary theory and criticism in their historical and philosophical contexts. Unlike other introductions to literary criticism, this textbook explores the philosophical assumptions of each school of criticism, provides a clear methodology for writing essays according to each school's beliefs and tenets, and features accessible professional essays.

This introduction to literary theory and criticism -- its historical development and the variety of theoretical positions or schools of criticism -- is designed to help students make conscious, informed, and intelligent choices concerning their own methods of literary interpretation.