The concise version of the discipline's most popular introductory anthology, Kennedy/Gioia’s Literature, Compact Edition continues to inspire students with engaging insights on reading and writing about stories, poems, and plays.  

Poets in their own right, editors X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia bring personal warmth and a human perspective to this compact, paperback anthology.  Organized into three genres—Literature, Compact Edition, presents readable discussions of the literary devices, illustrated by apt works, supported by useful writing tips, and followed by (now) sis full chapters devoted to writing.  A broad scope of traditional and contemporary works is provided, most headed by author images and richly detailed biographical notes and some followed by author commentary.  While maintaining the characteristics of its previous editions–accessible apparatus, expansive author representation– this Compact, Fifth Edition has been re-imagined to include new casebooks, a lively new design, and more writing coverage than ever before.

New students of literature.