Reviews and critiques two current books on the function and role of teachers as researchers: Marilyn Cochran-Smith's and Susan L. Lytle's "Inside/Outside: Teacher Research and Knowledge" and Ruth Shagoury Hubbard's and Brenda Miller Power's "The Art of Classroom Inquiry: A Handbook for Teacher-Researchers. (HB)

Describes the way one English teacher used a variety of stories to introduce students to the conventions of narrative fiction. Shows how students can be taught how great narrative artists manipulate the emotions of their audiences. (HB)

Provides the responses of 10 practicing English teachers to the questions, "What is your most successful writing assignment? Or, what is your favorite stimulus for writing?" (HB)

Considers the importance of writing workshops, especially those carried on outside of traditional academic environments. Argues for the value and widespread nature of these workshops. Claims that scholars have neglected the "extracurriculum" of composition as carried out in contexts other than the academy. (HB)

Discusses the poststructural impulse to displace authority over texts and their meanings from the author. Questions whether poststructuralists practice an anti-intentionalist impersonalism regarding their own writings. Describes the reactions of Jacques Derrida to readings of his own work by other critics. (HB)

Considers the recent flood of anthologies of literary criticism and theory as exemplifications of the confluence of pedagogical concerns, economics of publishing, and other historical factors. Looks specifically at how these anthologies present theory. Cites problems with their formatting theory and proposes alternative ways of organizing theory…

Describes the contradictory impulses embedded in the secondary English curriculum. Considers changing notions of the curriculum and recent trends in curriculum design and theory. Outlines the prominent features of successful curricula based on the concept of engendering coherent conversational domains. (HB)

Describes the many kinds of materials that English teachers can draw upon to enrich and expand students' experiences with literature. Outlines ancillary materials used to supplement the study of various literary anthologies. Argues that anthologies should be viewed as points of departure and not as destinations. (HB)

Provides the responses of 11 practicing English teachers to the question "What has been the most significant change in your approach to teaching since 1987?" (HB)

Describes the lessons that can be learned from the recent history of assessment in the English language arts. Considers the possible future uses to which assessment might be put in the near future. Explores the assessment activities of the National Assessment of Educational Progress over the past several years. (HB)

Outlines the various kinds of innovations in computers and telecommunications technology available to educators. Considers the everyday needs of teachers. Argues that teachers should learn to use fully any systems already available to them. (HB)

Considers the effects of studying popular cultural and media texts alongside literary texts. Questions whether traditional attitudes about literary texts are affected by such kinds of study. Demonstrates that setting Andrew Marvell in juxtaposition with Madonna's music raises radical political implications. (HB)

Discusses the issue of the use of nonfiction reading in the primary classroom. Describes the demands that nonfiction books make on children. Examines how the genre can be made more accessible to children. (HB)

Considers the difficulties inherent in developing a system of assessment through examination of student learning in Great Britain's A-level English literature instruction. Outlines the process of developing such a system as undertaken by the two appointed cochief examiners in 1986. (HB)

Discusses the role of the English department head in a time of shrinking budgets. Considers popular and governmental conceptions of college faculty productivity. Calls for increased attention to undergraduate teaching. Criticizes attacks labeling college faculty as lazy and incompetent. (HB)