The way in which analysis of a poem can increase the student's enjoyment of it is illustrated and discussed. The teacher is offered one short poem, written by a fifth grade student, which can be used as an exercise in poem analysis. It is believed that the poem analyzed, "The Ball," which is comprised of 11 words, is effective as an introduction…

This report discusses the present state of guidance in the writing of book reports by children in Japan, the basic factors considered in proposing standards for book reports, and standards suggested for evaluating book reports. Many different book-report contests are held each year in Japan, and some contests are conducted on a scale large enough…

The development of cognitive processes is essential to the development of reading comprehension skills. (MKM)

Reading teachers should teach the content of every reading lesson so that students can learn to synthesize and retain information from their reading. (JM)

Proposes that, in addition to demanding literal comprehension of reading materials, study guides should contain questions that require the type of critical reading that promotes interactive, constructive, and dynamic cognitive behaviors. Provides a sample of a general study guide that would promote these reading behaviors. (AEM)

Asserts that the act of visualizing is of vital importance in interpreting Wallace Stevens' poetry. Examines Stevens' use of "riddling" (using metaphors to create poetic riddles) as a literary device in several of his poems. (MM)

Offers several reasons why English teachers should set aside the notion of literature and center teaching around the related but distinct notion of textuality. Discusses why the study of textuality should play a major role in a full curriculum aimed toward the development of alert, aware citizens. (JD)

Consumer education activities are presented for developing skills of handicapped students in critical reading, comparative shopping, avoiding consumer swindles, assessing product guarantees, and complaining about defective/unsatisfactory products. The activities are adaptable to a variety of age and ability levels and designed to be coordinated…

Presents a poem suitable for teaching Kenneth Burke's concepts of grammar, rhetoric and symbolic in a literary work and explores three elements in the work. (HTH)

Illustrates the use of narratology to help foreign language students see the interplay between form and content in their target language literature. (CB)

Concludes that a notetaking strategy involving metacognition encourages independent learning. (SRT)

Suggestions to help social studies teachers use historical fiction and biography to teach critical reading to intermediate grade students are made. For example, teachers should help students to check various sources for the author's qualifications, purpose, and bias and assist students in analyzing language and writing style. (RM)

Discusses four prevalent misconceptions about critical reading and thinking and presents classroom strategies to foster an awareness of each. (EL)

Discusses the pedagogical concern of teaching students of English for special purposes (ESP) to interpret scientific and technological texts. Discovering the intentions of the author is not in accord with the actual practice of grammatical-rhetorical analysis. Rather the focus is on the message of the text itself. (SED)

Describes an approach to teaching introductory college literature courses that allows students to engage text directly without help from critical analysis papers and to express feelings of frustration, confusion, and anger in deciphering the meaning of the text. Points up ways in which the text gives rise to comprehension difficulties. (RBW)