Rather than focusing first on terms or definitions, THE LITERARY EXPERIENCE, Compact Edition helps you develop the skills that make literature accessible, organizing the book and beginning each discussion by asking the same questions that students ask themselves when they read a text, such as "What is happening here?" or "Is there some other story that we're supposed to know?" With THE LITERARY EXPERIENCE, you'll learn all of the literary terms you need to share your experience while you engage in the poems, stories, and plays.