In our studies of literature, literary terms allow us to explain everything that is or makes up a part of literature, including technical aspects of form, style, and context. What is literature? What is a novel? Or what is metaphor? These books collect literary terms in easy-to-use reference resources--perfect for every student, teacher, or reader of literature. Learn how to speak and write about poetry, novels, plays, and other works--using literary terminology.
1. Handbook to Literature
by William Harmon. Pearson Education. The "Handbook to Literature" includes listings for 2,000 terms and facts in literature, linguistics, rhetoric, criticism, printing, bookselling, and information technology. This book is a "comprehensive, easy-to-use, alphabetically arranged reference source..."
2. A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms
by Edward Quinn. Facts on File. "A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms" features more than 850 literary terms and themes. This book offers examples of traditional literary vocabulary, along with theoretical, historical, and cultural terms. This dictionary also includes essays on major themes in literature such as evil, power, love, death, time, and more.3. Oxford Concise Dictionary of Literary Terms
by Chris Baldick. Oxford University Press. The "Oxford Concise Dictionary of Literary Terms" contains more than 1,000 literary terms, many of which students and readers commonly encounter in the course of their studies of literature. This dictionary offers "clear and often witty explanations of terms."4. The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms
by Ross Murfin, and Supryia M. Ray. Bedford/St. Martin's Press. "The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms" covers 700 critical and literary terms, many of which have "never been covered before." From the publisher: "The glossary is expressly designed to reflect how literature and criticism are taught today, making this an indispensable reference which will be used for years to come."5. Critical Terms for Literary Study
by Frank Lentricchia (Editor), Thomas McLaughlin (Editor). University of Chicago Press. The 28 essays contained in "Critical Terms for Literary Study" offer a concise history of a literary term, an exploration of some of the issues and questions raised by the term, and practical solutions for putting the theories into practice.6. Critical Keywords in Literary and Cultural Theory
by Julian Wolfreys. Palgrave. "Critical Keywords in Literary and Cultural Theory" offers a brief introductions to terms, concepts, and keywords, along with short extracts. From the publisher: "The book is designed to be used as a dip-in reference book as well as a guide to literary theory for practical classroom use."7. Studying Literature: The Essential Companion
by Paul Goring, Domhnall Mitchell, Jeremy Hawthorn, and Anke Ueberberg (Editor). Arnold Publishers. This book has it all: a concise glossary of critical terms and theories, a guide to literary theorists, and a study-skills guide. From the publisher: "This is a one-stop reference for all the information [students of literature] need, both on their subject and on the best way to go about studying it."8. Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory
by J. A. Cuddon, and Claire Preston. Penguin Group. Now in its 4th edition, the "Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory" is a comprehensive and accessible work, designed for students, teachers and general readers. This work includes more than 2,000 terms, including entries for beat poets, black comedy, desert island fiction and vorticism.9. The Book of Literary Terms: The Genres of Fiction, Drama, Nonfiction...
by Lewis Turco. University Press of New England. "The Book of Literary Terms" offers the definitions related to essential terms, forms, and styles for all non-poetry literary genres. Beyond simple definitions, this book guides the reader through all sub-genres, offering historical examples, and extensive explication.10. Multicultural Dictionary of Literary Terms
by Gary Carey, and Mary Ellen Snodgrass. McFarland & Company. The "Multicultural Dictionary of Literary Terms" offers definitions to many of the terms that other glossaries and dictionaries of literary terms don't cover. From the publisher: "This comprehensive dictionary offers clear definitions, with examples, for terms like Katauta, Makta, Tz'u, and many others that derive from non-Western traditions."