Argues that the study of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" will provoke both agreement and disagreement in its premises and its particular judgments, but that the ensuing thought and discussion can constitute an education in novel reading. (HOD)

Traces the history of English prose from Francis Bacon to the present, commenting on the quality of various authors' writing and of fiction today. (HTH)

Examines the use of the second person pronoun in Chaucer's "Clerk's Tale" to demonstrate that students of medieval texts may well miss important areas of meaning if they fail to give adequate attention to the historical study of language. (GT)

Discusses problems encountered in developing and teaching a course on Stuart and Tudor Drama, some of the teaching methods employed, and ideas for improving the effectiveness of the course. (JMF)

Suggests that students who have found "Shane" to be an exciting literary experience can be motivated to read other heroic literature such as "Beowulf" if the teacher presents it with an eye toward motivation. "The Odyssey" might follow os another epic poem. (TJ)

A detailed use of this play during five class hours is offered, including goals, method, organization and homework assignments. A detailed text analysis follows, which considers the play's plot, character development, and message. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Outlines key transformations of secondary education in New South Wales in the twentieth century. Discusses the debate of whether the study of literature should be compulsory. Details the study of literature articulated in the 1965 syllabus and its revision in the 1990s. (PM)

Compares linguistic and non-linguistic components of ways of speaking, being, performing, and reasoning within an urban African American secondary classroom and a midwestern African American hair salon, identifying culturally shared interactional norms that inform knowledge building across sites and analyzing how the discourse norms and structures…

Concludes through an examination of recent criticism of William Blake's works that the literary canon is subject to change over time. Suggests that this is true because of both new critical developments and accumulations of new information through research. Argues that even critical theory is affected by such research. (SG)

Examines possible causes and consequences of the growth of English literary criticism. Asserts that the current mass of publication is inappropriate to literary criticism, and damages the status of the discipline as well as the development of the individual critic. Calls for a reappraisal of the role of critical publication. (MM)

Interviews Joseph Papp, director and founder of the New York Shakespeare Festival. Discusses how to teach Shakespeare to high school students. (MM)

Outlines the life of Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of "The Secret Garden." Argues that it not only tells an enthralling tale, but takes readers on a journey through the history of English literature. Discusses the gothic tradition and romanticism of "The Secret Garden." Lists classic elements in the book and offers five ideas…

Presents propositions about the literary canon in the British National Curriculum: it betrays sacred origins, it is a social construct, its control reflects political power, it is not inevitable, and neither the unitary nor the pluralistic model is without flaws. A middle ground between centralized prescription and free for all is advocated. (SK)

Explores how, although minority and female authors have found a place on many English departments' reading lists, the debate over the benefits of a diverse curriculum still linger. (EV)

Claudia Klein Felske, a high school English teacher, has created a vital dramatic experience in the classroom with the help of a guest workshop leader. The three activities, such as how to read William Shakespeare, Metaphor Theater and character cacophony, which helped students to experience the intensity of language and discover ramifications of…