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Practical Criticism, a Study of Literary Judgment
Paperback
Literary CriticismGeneral ReferencePoetry Criticism
ISBN13: 9781025920702
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 390
Weight: 1.20
Height: 0.80 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Practical Criticism, a Study of Literary Judgment is a seminal work in the field of literary theory and a foundational text for the practice of modern criticism. Written by I. A. Richards, this influential study explores the psychological and linguistic factors that shape how readers interpret and evaluate poetry. The work is centered around the objective analysis of literary texts, famously investigating the varied responses of readers when confronted with anonymous poems to uncover the common pitfalls and stock responses that can hinder authentic appreciation.
Richards systematically categorizes the obstacles to clear communication and critical discernment, including sentimentality, inhibition, and the influence of preconceived ideas. By advocating for a more scientific and disciplined approach to reading, the book champions the technique of close reading, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the text itself rather than external biographical or historical data. It examines how language functions to evoke emotional and intellectual responses, seeking to understand the mechanics of meaning within the written word.
Essential for students of English literature, rhetoric, and linguistics, Practical Criticism, a Study of Literary Judgment remains a vital resource for anyone interested in the cultivation of critical thinking and the intricacies of aesthetic judgment. It provides a rigorous methodology for engaging with literature and offers lasting insights into the relationship between a reader and a text.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
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