THIS ENGLISH GUIDE FOR AVERAGE STUDENTS IN GRADES 7, 8, AND 9 CONTAINS A RATIONALE FOR STRUCTURING A LITERATURE CURRICULUM AS WELL AS SPECIFIC TEACHING UNITS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP THE STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF VARIOUS CONCEPTS OF MAN AND TO TEACH THEM TO INDEPENDENTLY ANALYZE LITERATURE. UNITS ARE (1) "MAN AND HIS PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT,"…

One high school course in the novel that has proved to be very successful for gifted students requires four novels and--rather than quizzes and oral discussion--analytical papers and responsive journal writing. While the students pace their reading, the teacher can judge by the journal entries whether the students are on schedule. To enhance…

The criticism of fiction involves an evaluation of the popular imagination, and consequently the literary critic functions as a challenger of the conventional spirit and behavior of his times. Imaginative literature covers a large part of man's knowledge, for distinctions between works of imagination and works of reason (poetry versus philosophy)…

IN THIS COLLECTION OF SIX SPEECHES FROM THE YALE CONFERENCE, EACH AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE MEANINGS OF SPECIFIC WORKS OR IDEAS IMPORTANT TO ENGLISH TEACHING. SPEECHES ARE BY (1) SCOTT ELLEDGE, WHO PROPOSES COMPOSITION ASSIGNMENTS WHICH ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO "EXPLAIN" IMAGINATIVELY, (2) JAMES FOLSOM, WHO DISCUSSES THE WAYS IN WHICH A SHARPENED…

This paper demonstrates the compatability of Aristotle's Four Causes (material, formal, efficient, and final) and George Campbell's Four Forms of Discourse (description, narration, exposition, and argumentation) and synthesizes them to form an ordered yet flexible writing model that can be used in composition instruction. Within the context of…

This publication offers 20 bulletin-board-oriented posters of varying colors and sizes (from 8" X 13" to 10" X 15"), each of which features a poem by a contemporary black American poet. Poems have been selected for their literary excellence, diversity, appropriateness, and student appeal, and are intended to familiarize students with the work of…

Each of eight modules in this course guide focuses on a specific work of British literature from a particular historical period. Each module contains descriptions of rationale, objectives, instructional activities, postassessment, remediation procedures for that particular unit of study, and a list of titles for additional reading. Subjects of the…

This paper argues that a value structure must be developed and taught in the schools. The values and principles contained in the Humanistic Manifesto II are examined in the context of current adolescent literature. Discussed are such books as "It's Not What You Expect" and "Mom, The Wolfman and Me" by Norma Klein; "First Person Singular" by Vida…

This dissertation documents the different ways in which specialists approach science fiction. Descriptions of courses are presented for four universities, two four-year colleges, and one two-year community college. At all the schools, science fiction is a medium for social criticism. Otherwise the courses differ in content, format, and the methods…

This study was designed to determine whether a student's level of critical thinking would be increased by exposure to programmed materials which emphasized the use of qualifying words in avoiding over-generalizations. Seventy 8th graders were randomly divided into two groups--one experimental, the other control--which were judged to be equivalent…

Ninety-six study projects, for individuals or groups, dealing with works by American authors or America's history in the past 100 years are listed. (JM)

Contemporary poetry can be of value in the study of composition as a model of careful, concise, and effective use of language. Students can observe and, hopefully, imitate the poet's precise use of (1) vocabulary, (2) supporting materials, (3) introductions and conclusions, (4) transitional words and phrases, and (5) a variety of types of diction…

This poetry assignment for college freshmen involved preparing a paper. Reading of an Unterecker essay on poetry, extensive reading in a chosen poet, study of criticism, and organization of the paper are discussed. Excerpts from the results are included. Results are discussed in relation to the appreciation of poetry and composition skills. (AF)

If the best criticism of art is another work of art, studying the act of translation (the movement of ideas from one area or method of expression to another, such as between languages, between ancient and modern, between literature and life) can be of value to the English teacher. Bad translations, as exemplified in the condensation and…

A critical review of Bernard Knox's literary analysis of Sophocles'"Oedipus the King" in a four-lesson film series is offered largely as a "warning" to high school teachers. Central to the criticism is the author's belief that Professor Knox has imposed a reductive and marginal interpretation on the play which tends to obscure…