This thematic introduction to literature is distinguished by its inclusion of both classical and contemporary writers, writers from the British and American tradition, ethnic writers from the United States, and writers from other cultures. A newly revised pedagogy highlights brevity, clarity, and accuracy, providing effective strategies for reading and writing about literature. Students are asked to observe, reflect on, and write about the social, political, and cultural aspects of the literature being examined. The literature is organized thematically into units, each including stories, poems, and plays arranged in clusters to provoke personal, analytical, and critical responses.