Stylistics

by Lesley Jeffries, Daniel McIntyre

Overview

Stylistics is the linguistic study of style in language. It aims to account for how texts project meaning, how readers construct meaning and why readers respond to texts in the way that they do. This book is an introduction to stylistics that locates it firmly within the traditions of linguistics. Organised to reflect the historical development of stylistics from its origins in Russian formalism, the book covers key principles such as foregrounding theory, as well as more recent developments in cognitive stylistics. It includes an examination of both literary and non-literary texts, and substantial coverage of methodologies for stylistic analysis. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on the practicalities of producing stylistic analyses that are objective, replicable and falsifiable. Comprehensive in its coverage and assuming no prior knowledge of the topic, Stylistics will be essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students new to this fascinating area of language study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521405645
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/30/2010
Series:	Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Lesley Jeffries is Professor of English Language at the University of Huddersfield.

Dan McIntyre is Reader in English Language and Linguistics at the University of Huddersfield.

Table of Contents

1. Language and style; 2. Text and style; 3. Discourse and context I: function; 4. Discourse and context II: interaction; 5. Text and cognition I: text comprehension; 6. Text and cognition II: text processing; 7. Methods and issues in stylistic analysis; 8. Conclusions and future directions.

Editorial Reviews

'A panoramic view of the maturing discipline of stylistics. Richly illustrated from literature and media in English, it shows how the same analytic tools and techniques can be revealingly applied both to literary and non-literary texts. A first-rate textbook and an enjoyable read.' Geoffrey Leech, Lancaster University

'… wide-ranging and informative, offering excellent coverage, perceptive guidance on research methods and innumerable fascinating links between both linguistic and literary theory and analytical practice. Stylistics is now a mature and rapidly growing discipline and you couldn't wish for a better guide to the field.' Ronald Carter, Nottingham University

From the Publisher