Textual Analysis: A Beginner's Guide 1st edition by McKee, Alan (2003) Paperback

by Alan McKee

`Alan McKee presents a student friendly introduction to the analysis of cultural texts. The book highlights the cultural differences in interpretation with an array of fascinating examples. Textual Analysis is written in an accessible style with several useful case studies. Each chapter also includes exercises for classroom' - Jane Stokes, London Metropolitan University `McKee is a gifted practitioner of the skills he would teach in this book, as well as a lively and engaging writer and one who has a real commitment to making his ideas available to a larger public' - Henry Jenkins, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyThis book provides an indispensable basic introduction to textual analysis. McKee starts from the most basic philosophical foundations that underlie the practice and explains why texts are important and what they tell us about the world they represent.Textual Analysis guides students away from finding the `correct' interpretation of a text and explains why we can't simply ask audiences about the interpretations they make of texts.Textual - points to the importance of context, genre and modality- uses excellent examples drawn from popular culture- provides students with a solid grounding on many of the important concepts underlying media and cultural studiesWritten in an accessible and straightforward style Textual Analysis: A Beginners Guide will be essential reading for all students of media, cultural and communication studies.

Genres: Research, School, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published December 18, 2002

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed McKee's voice in this methodological manual, as it was casual, welcoming, and encouraging to new and curious scholars who wish to learn about textual analysis and put such techniques into practice. One of this particular book's best qualities was that it wasn't a "how-to" manual so much as it was an introduction to the mindsets and ideas necessary for approaching the work of textual criticism. Instead of seeming to promise readers a direct line into that work in a way that would likely be unrealistic, McKee offers a full meal of food for thought to direct one's own inquiries into the way that textual criticism can be approached and accomplished, and what kinds of scholarly contributions such work can make. My one complaint with the book is that most of his examples are drawn from a very narrow topical range, and there could have maybe been more breadth and depth in the subject areas that he drew from to illustrate other approaches and ideas that people have and bring to the work of textual analysis. That being said, however, this was still a useful, provocative book that I'm sure I'll easily return to in times of doubt, or just as the occasional refresher.

[Amany Hasan · Rating 5 out of 5]

how I can read it?

[Kitty Red-Eye · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introduction, indeed. And alright as such. Easy to read, but I'm not sure I found it very helpful.

[Bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awsome intro into the world of textual analysis! McKee has an easy and approachable style, although he can be a bit annoying at times. His consistent use of the word "obviously" becomes irritatingly ironic during passages when he is trying to explain post-structuralism! And he also goes on about gays waaay too much...got something to tell everyone McKee? Other than this he has an accessable and entertaining way of explaining it all to us...but be aware that this is only a beginners guide, so dont expect to get into too much detail.

[Monica Barratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by my friend Edwin Ng. It's a really good beginners book for researchers (like me) who want delve into discourse or textual analysis and aren't sure how to start. Post-structuralist ideas are presented in an easy-to-understand format. McKee's authorial voice makes the book fun - I found myself unable to put it down, no easy feat for a methods book!

[Kevin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simplified post-structuralist textual analysis method.