Ways of Reading is a best-selling textbook for undergraduate students of English Language and English Literature, providing readers with the tools to analyse and interpret the meanings of literary and non-literary texts. Six sections, comprising twenty five self-contained units, cover: techniques of analysis and problem-solving language variation attributing meaning poetic uses of language narrative drama and performance texts The book combines the linguistic and literary background to each topic with discussion of examples from books, poems, magazines and online sources, and links those examples to follow-up practical activities and a list of titles for further reading. This fourth edition has been redesigned and updated throughout, with many fresh examples and exercises. Further reading suggestions have been brought up to date and new material on electronic sources and the Internet has been integrated. Ways of Reading continues to be the core resource for students of English Language and Literature.