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The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms

by Chris Baldick

A broad reference for literary terminology

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Paperback New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A broad reference for literary terminology

Chris Baldick’s dictionary brings together concise definitions spanning traditional literary study and newer critical and theoretical vocabulary. The fourth edition covers areas including drama, versification, rhetoric, literary history, feminism, poetry, life writing, and crime fiction, with entries ranging from established forms to newer terms such as “distant reading” and “graphic novels.” A pronunciation guide, further-reading suggestions, bibliographies, and companion-web links add research aids beyond the definitions themselves. Its range makes it useful for consulting unfamiliar terminology across different fields of literary study.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Students of literature seeking a reference for critical and formal terminology
  • Readers researching literary forms, movements, or concepts across genres and periods
  • Writers or instructors who need a quick-check dictionary of literary terms

Themes

Literary terminologyLiterary criticism and theoryDrama, verse, and rhetoricLiterary history and genres

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

The bestselling Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms provides clear and concise definitions of the most troublesome literary terms, from abjection to zeugma. It is an essential reference tool for students of literature in any language. Now expanded and in its fourth edition, it includes increased coverage of new terms from modern critical and theoretical movements, such as feminism, schools of American poetry, Spanish verse forms, life writing, and crime fiction.

It includes extensive coverage of traditional drama, versification, rhetoric, and literary history, as well as updated and extended advice on recommended further reading and a pronunciation guide to more than 200 terms. Completely revised and updated, this edition also features brand-new entries on terms such as distant reading, graphic novels, middle generation, and misery memoir. Many new bibliographies have been added to entries and recommended web links are available via a companion website.
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