Explores why Chinese students' responses to American literature appear dogmatic and predictable. Examines how Chinese typically study literature by considering (1) the officially recognized relationship between literature and politics; (2) the traditional aims and methods of instruction in middle school; and (3) students' responsibilities in their…

Considers the tension between deterministic social construction and individual autonomy of the subject in the act of reading literary texts. Develops a critical reading pedagogy that takes into account the balance between those two extremes of the dialectic of reading praxis. Illustrates the pedagogy with two concrete examples. (HB)

Discusses the ghosts and haunting in recent American fiction. Considers the similarity of function of ghosts in contemporary ethnic American literatures. Identifies a specific kind of ghost story, a "cultural haunting," that has recently emerged in large numbers in ethnic American literature. (HB)

Relates highlights of the findings of the Modern Language Association's 1990 survey of upper-division literature courses. Discusses works consistently taught and recently added, literary criticism, educational goals, theoretical perspectives, course format, and respondent characteristics. (PRA)

Discusses in detail the findings of the Modern Language Association's 1990 survey of upper-division literature courses. Discusses works consistently taught and recently added, literary criticism, educational goals, theoretical perspectives, course format, and respondent characteristics. (PRA)

Explores how ninth- and eleventh-grade students reformulated their initial written analyses of two short stories through revisions fostered by between-draft written comments. Indicates significant effects for response condition and grade level. Analyzes data collected in two response modes: directive and dialogue. (HB)

Discusses the recent efforts to expand literary studies into numerous allied fields and the possible effects that such attempts toward interdisciplinarity and internationalism might have. Warns against possible negative consequences of interdisciplinary approaches. Calls for an expanded view of English as a field of study. (HB)

Presents "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" as an effective text for the basic writing classroom. Describes how this book affirms literacy skills and charts perceptual growth. Claims that this text is effective in helping students understand the passion and strength of character necessary for any writer's growth. (HB)

Counters six arguments against humor in English classes. Presents arguments in support of studying humor in English classes, noting its usefulness and benefits. (SR)

Traces the history of Western theories of metaphor and discusses misperceptions that have arisen concerning the nature and function of metaphors that restrict their educational use. Shows that their extensive use in conventional speech can be used by educators to help students enrich and extend their thought and language. (DSK)

Combining academic prose, some narrative, a poem, and some literary criticism, this project paper presents a theoretical framework for the literature base of the curriculum the teacher hopes to make operational on various levels over several years. The first section of the paper discusses the goals and various approaches of multicultural…

A study of literature cannot be divorced from cultural contexts, nor can it ignore the humanist vision in interpreting literary texts. To discover dialogic bonds and boundaries between the reader and the text, or the writer and the audience, English classes should have two objectives: (1) to explore the diversity of perspectives, and (2) to relate…

The articles in this journal issue focus on adolescent literature. In the first article, author John Neufeld discusses how he chooses a particular topic and writes to uncover his own particular bias. The second article discusses the theme of "a price must be paid" in the works of Ouida Sebestyen while the third article presents an…

Skilled writers, contrary to what we tell students, do make frequent use of cliches.

Feminist literary criticism seems to have the potential to bring new life to old standards taught in the high school English class even if the students are not themselves feminists. A feminist approach to literature instruction was first attempted using "This Is Just to Say" and "The Young Housewife" by William Carlos Williams…