"Patterns in Language" addresses the real needs of students who may not have an extensive background either in traditional literature or in linguistic theory. This student-friendly textbook uses the principles of linguistic analysis to investigate the aesthetic use of language in literary (and non-literary) texts. Written in straightforward, accessible language with imaginative examples and a humorous tone, it shows how linguistic knowledge can enhance and enrich the analysis of texts. The authors borrow from traditional stylistics, but focus primarily on the recurring linguistic patterns which are used by writers of poetry, fiction and drama. The authors draw on a wide variety of textual sources to illustrate their observations, making reference to both canonical literature and modern literary texts, as well as to popular fiction, television and the language of advertising. Exercises designed to develop the students' understanding of the material are provided at every stage, and sample answers are also included.

Essays employing close scrutiny of texts to clarify gender issues in feminist literary criticism. One of the major problems in feminist literary criticism is the tendency to generalise when exploring language and gender. This volume clarifies the issues involved and tests generalisations by specific analysis, and in the process defines a "feminist stylistics" - a fresh, practical approach which will serve as a model for future work in this area. The seven essays in the collection analyse widely varying literary texts, using the framework of linguistic theory to address feminist issues. The texts range from Shakespeare's As You Like It to present-day pop songs, and also cover poetry and contemporary fiction. The feminist critics whose approach is under examination include Cixous, Irigaray, Kristeva, Showalter, Woolf and a number of British feminists; and the linguistic models employed cover discourse analysis, politeness theory, lexicalisation and transitivity. Contributors: Clara Calvo, Lesley Jeffries, Marion Lomax, Sara Mills, Louise Sylvester, Anne Varty, Shan Wareing