Designed to offer an appealing anthology where there is an increased interest in connections between and among cultures, Across Cultures, strives to promote understanding of diverse cultures among students. The book advocates acceptance of the diversity of voices, while suggesting ways to probe the correspondences, interrelationships, and mutual benefits of that diversity. The selections cover a great variety of cultural facets. For example, the readings in "Work," the subject of Chapter 5, lead students to consider related subjects such as affirmative action, immigration, cultural displacement, family narratives, and definitions of success. Throughout the text, students are encouraged to draw connections between and among readings through "Correspondence" questions that accompany each selection, thus developing their critical thinking skills.

This thematic introduction to literature is distinguished by its inclusion of both classical and contemporary writers, writers from the British and American tradition, ethnic writers from the United States, and writers from other cultures. A newly revised pedagogy highlights brevity, clarity, and accuracy, providing effective strategies for reading and writing about literature. Students are asked to observe, reflect on, and write about the social, political, and cultural aspects of the literature being examined. The literature is organized thematically into units, each including stories, poems, and plays arranged in clusters to provoke personal, analytical, and critical responses.