Item Description

The purpose of the Teaching Literature text is to help teachers and students not only appreciate literature but also to identify the unique characteristics of great writing. The intent of the Teaching Literature text is to assist students to understand types of literature and various author’s purposes and abilities. Such understanding enhances the spontaneity in a literary experience.

Teaching Literature stimulates the interest of listeners and readers in the techniques and devices authors use to convey meaning. As a result of the lessons, students learn to recognize and replicate in their writing what authors have done to give their readers a message, and to share their experiences and feelings.

The teaching in this text begins first with a model. The teacher reads a sample of a literary selection to the students. Students then read suggested literary examples in the prompting and practice stages of learning individually (as they do during ECRI instruction) or as choral reading.

The text is divided into three sections. Section One helps students identify various types of prose, poetry and drama. Section Two focuses on authors and what they do to convey meaning for their readers. Section Three emphasizes the use of sounds and rhythm in language—especially in poetry. Students learn the subtleties employed by authors to create a mood, tone and allusion—as well as other devices to create beauty of ideas and expression.