The Norton Introduction to Literature

The Norton Introduction to Literature, 15th Edition, is an academic anthology published by W. W. Norton & Company and edited by Kelly J. Mays for college students and instructors. The volume guides readers through fundamental methods of close reading, text analysis, and writing about literature across multiple literary forms.

The collection organizes primary selections into defined thematic and genre groupings, spanning fiction, poetry, drama, ancient epics, and graphic fiction. Fiction selections include works by Rebecca Makkai, Lauren Groff, Ted Chiang, Tommy Orange, Ling Ma, and Deesha Phillyaw. Poetry additions introduce contemporary readings from Amanda Gorman, Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Dianne Seuss, Tiana Clark, and Jose Olivarez.

Dramatic literature within the volume includes modern English versions of ancient Greek plays, featuring Shelia Murnaghan's translation of Antigone alongside Emily Wilson's translation of Oedipus Tyrannos. This structured compilation offers introductory literature classes concrete text models for classroom analysis and analytical essay assignments.