This book gives students an answer to the question, "What does my
professor want from this essay?" Using a single poem by William Carlos
Williams as the basis for the process of writing a paper, it walks
students through the processes of reading, brainstorming, researching
secondary sources, gathering evidence, and composing and editing the
paper.
Writing Essays About Literature is designed to strengthen
argumentation skills and deepen understanding of the relationships
between the reader, the author, the text, and critical interpretations.
Its lessons about clarity, precision, and the importance of providing
evidence will have wide relevance for student writers. The second
edition has been updated throughout and provides three new complete
sample essays showing varying approaches to the final essay.