In this reference book, entries are arranged alphabetically by poet. In order to reflect the influence of tradition as well as innovation, poets from various eras will be represented in every volume. Each Poetry Criticism entry covers the poet's major or most commonly read works and discusses his or her most prominent themes and poetic techniques. Entries contain an introductory biographical sketch, excerpts of critical analyses of major poems and sources for additional reading.

Each volume of this reference provides substantial critical essays and biographical information on four to eight major poets from all eras. Entries provide an introductory biographical sketch, an author portrait, a primary bibliography, annotated full text and excerpted criticism of the poets works and sources for additional reading. When available, comments from the poets themselves are included. Approximately 90-95% of critical essays are full text.Each volume includes cumulative author name and nationality indexes as well as a volume-specific title index. A cumulative title index to the entire series is published separately.