Offering 42 stories, 302 poems, and 14 plays, the Shorter Seventh Edition provides an unparalleled wealth of classics and contemporaries, canonical favorites and emerging writers. Included in the Seventh Edition are three new, "Exploring Contexts" chapters. Entitled "Critical Contexts," each includes a literary piece and several examples of professional criticism about that piece to introduce students to the critical discussion that surrounds works and authors and to inspire students own writing.Reading, Responding, Writing chapters introduce students to each genre and prompt students to read creatively, analytically, and sensitively. Evaluating chapters develop students' critical reading and writing skills. Questions and Writing Suggestions promote careful reading and provide sparks for writing. 10 complete student papers, including a new research paper, provide real student responses to several of the Writing Suggestions. Writing about Literature includes updated information about the use and citation of secondary sources. Read Less