The aim of the How to Study series is to offer practical advice about how to read, understand and analyse literature. Each volume provides a clear method of study and encourages students to construct their own interpretation of literary texts and become more confident readers, alert to the interest and pleasure to be derived from reading literature. Analysing Texts is dedicated to one clear belief, that we can all enjoy, understand and analyse literature for ourselves, provided we know how to do it. Readers are guided in the skills and techniques of close textual analysis which are used to build an insight into and richer understanding of an author's individual style, themes and concerns. An additional section on the writer's life and work and a comparison of major critical views, place them in their personal and literary context.
Transitions critically explores movements in literary theory.
Guiding the reader through the poetics and politics of interpretative paradigms and schools of thought, Transitions helps direct the student's own acts of critical analysis. As well as transforming the critical developments fo the past by interpreting them from the perspective of the present day, each study enacts transitional readings of a number of well-known literary texts. We are proud to announce a new programme of books for students including The Study Skills Handbook by Stella Cottrell and the The Student's Guide to Writing by John Peck and Martin Coyle. Books in the How to Study Series are general introductions to their subjects, intended especially to help students at first year level starting a subject that is new to them. All the books focus on developing effective study habits and skills as well as the particular demands of a given subject.