Describes an end-of-year assignment in which students, working in groups of three, prepare a program of literature for oral interpretation. (SR)

Examined the ability of 10 4-year olds to generate and identify themes by relating text to life experiences and identifying with the feelings of characters. The children could not generate theme statements after they heard the story, but could talk about thematic elements and identify an appropriate theme statement from choices offered. (SH)

Describes how the national park service interprets the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. (CCM)

Slam poetry was born in the Green Mill Tavern, a one-time Chicago speakeasy where Al Capone imbibed, when a construction worker and poet named Marc Smith revolutionized poetry readings with an Uptown Poetry Slam in 1986. Slam borrows heavily from the rhythms and wordplay of rap and hip-hop, as well as the stream of consciousness and metaphysical…

A number of interaction researchers have claimed that recasts might be ambiguous to learners; that is, instead of perceiving recasts as containing corrective feedback, learners might see them simply as literal or semantic repetitions without any corrective element (Long, in press; Lyster & Ranta, 1997). This study investigates learners'…

This lesson plan contains poetry-related activities that aim to help students read and interpret English poetry, and write their own poems. The activities are introduced in each of the following parts: talking about poetry, understanding poetic devices, interpreting poems, using poetry for language acquisition, writing original poems, performing…

That a play has one central action which is its formal cause is the most influential interpretative idea to emerge among theatre writers since the old model of situation/incident/complication/climax/denouement. Unfortunately, the action concept has been insufficiently developed, excessive hopes have been pinned on it, and it has become a reductive…

Examines approaches to interpretation study contained in basic interpretation textbooks. Describes the performance criticism each approach generates. (PD)

Examines and suggests improvements in the broadcasting speech event (radio newscast reading) in forensic competition. (PD)

Reports the following concerns of beginning oral interpretation students: (1) dealing with stage fright; (2) finding suitable material; (3) analyzing the literature; and (4) using voice and body for performance. Proposes choral reading as an effective means to deal with these concerns, since the emphasis is on group rather than solo performance.…

Explores how oral and print characteristics mesh or clash in "words-in-freedom," a form of visual poetry invented by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. Analyzes Marinetti's poster-poem "Apres la Marne, Joffre visita le front en auto," highlighting the different natures of the two media and the coding difficulties occasioned by…

Storytelling can help campers build confidence and enhance their communication skills. Techniques include choosing a short, familiar story; learning major points and retelling in one's own words; introducing the story; practicing facial expressions, gestures, voice inflections, and body movements; and telling the story in a small group in a quiet…

What role can emotions play in informing readers' interpretations of poems? This think-aloud study, with an experimental design, featured 10 college freshmen randomly assigned to 2 groups. The think-aloud (TA) group verbalized thoughts while reading 2 poems, and the think-and-feel-aloud (TFA) group voiced both thoughts and feelings. Participants…

Notes that instruction in the dramatic arts can encourage lasting aesthetic awareness and improved communicative abilities, and presents descriptions of four articles about youth drama from the ERIC database. (JC)

Describes Friendly Street, an Australian self-help community of writers existing outside schools that offers writers a chance to read or publish their written works. (HOD)