Edgar Allen Poe, Langston Hughes, Louisa May Alcott, and Stephen King are just a handful of famous authors who began their publishing careers in their teens. Many young adults would like to write and publish but few know where to begin. While there are many books on how to write and how to get published, none are written specifically for teens.…

The thesis that style through the manner of expression provides the writer or speaker with the matter of his discourse is the subject of these eight essays. Articles are by (1) Louis T. Milic, who explores the implication of stylistic theory for the teaching of composition, (2) Martin Joos, who relates style theories to the national enthusiasm for…

Poetry is still an art form which requires craftsmanship, technique and discipline. Author expresses a negative reaction to Do-your-own-poetry-thing". (ML)

An assignment for high school or college students that requires them to interpret what a poem may have communicated to the poet's contemporaries can be valuable in that it teaches them that there is more than one way to interpret a poem and that the rules of interpretation are neither universal nor unchanging. Such an approach to poetry…

ONE OF THE USES FOR POETRY IN THE CLASSROOM IS THAT OF STUDYING THE WAY A POET EMPLOYS FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND THE CONCRETE, SENSUAL IMAGE TO BRING INTO SHARP FOCUS, OR SUGGEST BY CONNOTATION, THE DEFINITION OF A SINGLE WORD. THIS, IN TURN, CAN LEAD TO STUDENT EXERCISES IN DEFINING WORDS IN CONCRETE SENSUAL LANGUAGE. BY TAKING A POEM WHICH SEEMS…

Contains comments on articles by Patrick Hartwell, Robert Scholes, and Gordon Broswell. (EL)

Introduces four instances of the strong possibilities feminist literary criticism presents for the classroom: roles of heroines and heroes in the novel, the casting of women in Shakespeare, the scope of imagery and authorial voice in poetry, and in the pursuit of the voice in the students' own writing. (EL)

This book is intended for teachers, prospective teachers, language arts supervisors, designers of curriculum, and others interested in the teaching of English in the elementary school. Subjects covered include reasons why literature should be part of a child's education, what it means to "teach" and "study" literature, the foundation necessary for…

Although books of solely black literature are being published in abundance, an anthology representing both black and white authors is needed, for only through including the literary traditions of all Americans can the national experience be accurately reflected. The origins of Afro-American poetry are found in the late 18th century, and with the…

An effective teaching method, the technique of changing crucial characteristics of a literary work and presenting students with unsuitable alternatives leads the students to their own discovery of the artistic appropriateness of the original. Examples may be seen in each of three representative areas of English: (1) poetry--substitute words to…

Discusses the radical dramatism of language and the implications for writing instruction. (MM)

While the chapters of this book present a variety of perspectives, they share the common goal of redirecting and revitalizing research on written composition. The authors review research on written discourse and the composing process and raise questions regarding information and skills that teachers and researchers need to consider. The chapters…

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…

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)