Courses: Communication Theory, Nonverbal Communication, Public Speaking. Objective: At the end of this activity, students should be able to define key components of expectancy violations theory and apply the theory to analyze violations that occurred in Clint Eastwood's speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Presents an analysis of Mary Wilkins Freeman's "The Revolt of 'Mother,'" focusing on the gendered nature of language. Asserts that the author's empowering discourse and speaking voice, within the male dominated literary arena, is an act of language appropriation, and that students who participate in the analysis of discourse can also be empowered.…

A dialectical heuristic that can be used to guide students through the stages of writing about a literary experience is discussed in this paper. The first section of the paper provides a working definition of literature as an area of discourse and divides the process of reading and writing about literature into three general phases: progressive,…

Considers how the idea of Hemingway's famous "iceberg" theory of fiction continues to find currency--especially among students of creative writing. Discusses the use of "truth" in fiction. Concludes that in Hemingway's short story, "The Butterfly and the Tank," more than anything else, truth lies submerged. (SG)

Regardless of the way in which one chooses authentic texts for a course in reading a language for special purposes, at one time or another, one is confronted with the problem of textual analysis. The analysis has to be done in view of the course objectives. A pre-instructional analysis allows the instructor to work out teaching strategies which…

Suggests how rhetorical criticism might be most productively focused by concentrating on the message, value premises, and strategies. (PD)

Discusses Mikhail Bakhtin's vision of the continuous affluence of language and claims it celebrates the polymeric nature of discourse as opposed to the traditional triangular paradigm which proves hopelessly inadequate.

Examines the meaning of "Jack and Jill" according to different semantic theories. (MKM)

Offers an overview of contrasts and similarities in various approaches to Shakespeare studies. Discusses how a shift in perspectives from grappling with tragic moral themes to examining aesthetic and semantic complexity represents a productive way to respond to Shakespeare. (NH)

The dialectical approach to teaching literary analysis, using William Perry's model of cognitive development, engages students intellectually and actively in literary issues, takes a holistic approach to education, and confronts students with an alternative to their well-entrenched philosophy that an education is to be gotten and stored away. (MSE)

Considers how Bobbie Ann Mason's short story "Shiloh" contains a wealth of metaphoric imagery and has been analyzed through various lenses of the literary tradition, including that of the Grail quest. Suggests that it provides the necessary components for any unit concentrating on teaching the anatomy of the elements of the short story. Discusses…

Describes several of the challenges facing the student of Henry James's work and suggests some ways of meeting them. Focuses on James's later stories, where the problems of understanding are greater than they are in his earlier works. Presents questions and discussion for the four full days to be devoted to this long tale. (SG)

A series of French language classroom exercises to be used over four class sessions applies principles of semiotics to literary textual analysis. The session themes include decoding and interpreting, reconstructing meaning, sociocultural connotations in the text, and sense of time and space. (MSE)

Considers how mapping literary works provides students with a powerful tool for critical analysis. Suggests that educators need to force students to do something different with the text. Notes that the author's solution is to insist that her students visualize the text on paper. (SG)

Discusses the character of Claudius in "Hamlet" to determine the character's sincerity. (DF)