English/ Critical Theories ESSENTIAL: An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory

This book has been a LIFESAVER during my master's degree.

The worst thing about learning theoretical concepts is that the theories are written using complex terminology and rely on a billion other theories, and ideas, and movements that require a history lesson to trace. In order to get to the main points, I recommend you nab a copy of Bennett and Royle's Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory.

For anyone struggling with any criticisms or theories that are vital for so many readings, this book gives you a concise and accessible breakdown of key concepts that literature and critical theory students stumble across. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific theory or idea from Psychoanalysis to Theories of Comedy and Humour to Postcolonialism. This covers the bases. Each chapter uses real literary examples to help explain the concepts further. It even includes a helpful bibliography to direct the reader to further texts and resources to bolster your understanding. Honestly, the bibliography is the most underappreciated source for texts and information. For those of you writing essays, use the bibliographies of key texts to direct you to reliable source materials for your arguments it saves you so much time and stress, believe me.

Bennett and Royle might seem a little pricey to buy, but it is totally worth it. However, if the student loan hasn't dropped or doesn't cover, you should definitely pick up a copy at the university library or check out Google Books for an online version.