Abstract:The poetic theory and criticism concept of XIE Zhao-zhi's “Xiao Cao Zhai Zhi” is mainly manifested in five aspects: As for the occurrence of poetry, Xie further elaborated the traditional view that poetry was a carrier of emotions. As for the choice of poetry model, Xie advocated modeling after Tang poetry. As for the pursuit of artistic standard, Xie attached great importance to creation principles and artistic conception and style. As for the relationship between realistic description and aesthetic imagination, Xie advocated a half-and-half mixture of them. As for beginners guide to write poems, Xie emphasized the purpose of writing should be reviewed. XIE Zhao-zhi'd poetic theory aimed to find a cure for the maladies afflicting the poetry world, persistently pursue ideal poetic beauty, and offer guidance to later followers of poetry, which had important impact on the evolution of poetic style and the construction of poetic theory and criticism in middle and late Ming Dynasty.