Louise Rosenblatt's transactional theory of reader response has been widely accepted as a means of resisting the hegemony of New Criticism. This article argues that Rosenblatt and the New Critics were pioneers of parallel, rather than opposing, pedagogical traditions, shaped by the shared influence of I. A. Richards and John Dewey. The article…

In addition to being one of the authors of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), David Coleman has become the Standards' "most visible advocate" (Smith, Appleman, & Wilhelm, 2014, p. 10) and one of their "most prominent and articulate promoters" (Rabinowitz & Bancroft, 2014, p. 4). In a talk titled "Bringing the…

Ethnically unfamiliar literature can provide opportunities for teacher candidates to expand their repertoire of available texts to better support students in their care. However, ethnically unfamiliar literatures can be difficult for readers to understand and appreciate. This article addresses this disconnect by infusing multicultural literature…

This qualitative study reveals the ways in which reading and reflecting on two counter-narrative young adult novels fostered opportunities for preservice English teachers to think more acutely about their understandings of race within and beyond the text. Participants expressed feelings of empathy with and connection to characters whose cultural…

Considers encounters with imaginative literature as a way of suggesting alternative modes of orienting readers in a literally unrepresentable, perhaps unreadable outside world. Argues that the study of stories does not depend upon representation but upon creation, invention, and conversation. (SR)

Describes a mental game in which (1) the identification of some vividly recalled literary excerpt is postponed and, instead, the source is described as much as possible and (2) the source is identified and checked to see if the description accurately represents it. Uses this game to discuss the relation between speech and literary discourse. (JD)

Reasons that teachers of literature should have as their focus not what writers do but what readers do in the process of reading literature. Concludes that readers construct literary works based on their own experience, education, and ability to imagine in response to a writer's suggestions. (JAD)

Describes an experience with a non-directive small group approach to teaching point of view in fiction, concluding that teachers have an obligation to teach sound critical standards. (DD)

Describes a creative writing course offered to 60 inmates of China state prison and involving class discussion of literature. (DD)

Discusses the role of literature in the secondary school English curriculum, then examines the current state of literary criticism and analysis in the classroom. (FL)

Describes the responses of five high school students to a short story. Summarizes other research on student response groups. Proposes ways to use the response process in classroom literature programs. (RL)

Argues that the literal and cultural "text" of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) calls into question the entire project of teaching English at the secondary level in this country. Teases out the connection between the study of NAFTA and the study of text and what it might mean for the teaching of English in the next…

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…

Describes a week-long minicourse on poetry (with 14 science professors as participants) held to determine what central features of literary study cause unease for science students. Finds five areas of concern including writers' intentions, significant omissions, faulty interpretations, confused values, and misuse of phrases. Discusses the…