A teacher discusses how she used criticism of "The Scarlet Letter," when studying the book, in her honors class. The students were also intrigued by the biographical information they learned about Hawthorne, and eager to use it in interpreting his novel. (SRT)

Discusses film-oriented writing classes as a way of expanding student vocabularies and illustrating such literary devices as metaphor, irony, and imagery. Offers guidelines for writing instructors wishing to add films to a course plan, using "King Kong,""The Godfather," and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" as examples. (DMM)

Explains an approach to teaching American literature that begins by using regional materials to interest students in reading and then expands to include classical works. (EL)

Suggests using poetry's short short forms for a methodical and rapid series of writing assignments that emphasize both careful writing at the sentence level and overall planning and respect for form. (HTH)

Presents a humorous technique for teaching students about apostrophes. (FL)

Lists writing exercises based on observations students can make in a shopping mall. Notes that the exercises are intended to become a springboard for study, description, conjecture, evidence, example, and innovation, and can be combined, expanded, or shortened. (EL)

Suggests that the works of Ernest Hemingway can introduce young readers to (1) an intense expression of the joy of life, (2) heroic models, (3) original use of language, (4) a sharp sense of time and place, and (5) literature that can be understood at many levels. (MM)

By immersing young learners in the life and times of Shakespeare and his characters, this book motivates students and helps them learn. It contains everything teachers need to introduce elementary students to four plays: "A Midsummer Night's Dream,""Macbeth,""Hamlet," and "Romeo and Juliet." For each play,…

In recent years many teachers, English departments, and school districts have taken steps towards averting censorship and strengthening the professional basis for their English language arts programs. This paper states that development of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) guidelines for selection of materials in English programs…

Present's Harriette Arnow's "The Dollmaker" as an excellent vehicle for teaching the fundamentals of literary interpretation, especially to non-English majors. Describes how the novel illustrates the interconnection of plot, setting, characterization, symbol, and theme. (MM)

Suggests capitalizing on the relevance of George Orwell's "1984" as a way to stimulate student interest in the book. (JL)

Solves the problem of introducing Shakespeare to junior high students by using prose versions of his great scenes. (JL)

Relates how one teacher helped another overcome his prejudice against his American Indian students by showing him that English literature--even "Beowulf"--can be as valid in the curriculum as Native American literature. (JL)

Offers three reasons that justify the inclusion of the book "Overkill" on the British "O" level literature syllabus: (1) the nuclear bomb is the most important invention of the century, (2) the language provides a clear example of scientific writing and talking, and (3) the book is informative in helping students arrive at a…