Persuasion theories typically attempt to account for attitude change, but mass media reviews influence more ephemeral variables, the chief of which is "interest" in attending or otherwise consuming a cultural event or object. Reviewing and other forms of "evaluative journalism"--including much sports, consumer, and political…

An initial study (Ram 1) in Denmark in 1970 determined whether methods could be developed to assess the effect of textual passages on readers' experiences of a short story. Subjects, 717 Danish secondary students, were given a questionnaire to check on the effect of specific auctorial techniques and to chart readers' attitudes and the way they…

To explore imagery and emotional involvement in reading, a study examined readers' imagery and emotional responses through the use of ratings for each paragraph in a story. Subjects, 40 undergraduate volunteers recruited from education classes, read a 2100-word excerpt from the novel "Buffalo Chief" by Jean and Paul Annixter. Students…

Despite their impact on literary criticism, contemporary theories of reader response and deconstruction seem to have had little effect on the practice of teaching literature, and most teachers of introductory literature courses remain vague about what these "new" theories are and how they can be used. Proponents of some of these theories…

This article presents an account of how one teacher and one student work through James Joyce's short story, "Eveline," illustrating an important reconceptualization of literacy--the teacher struggles to make public those aspects of reading which are often only assumed or left covert, namely, entering the world of the text, groping for…

Because public schools are designed to serve the widest range of interests and are committed to the ideal of democracy, teachers cannot afford to avoid teaching works or presenting ideas that offend some members of communities. Students need to learn the value of controversy and of the challenges posed by a text. Richard Wright's "Native Son" and…

The reader response criticism that has arisen in direct response to the New Criticism can be adapted to the needs of the developing writer through its emphasis upon the experience of the reader engaged with the text. The reader response approach generates content--helps the developing writer find something to say--and facilitates the process…

Outlined in this paper are the plans for three additional pilot studies to be conducted in Denmark as part of the interdisciplinary Turko-Danish Fairytale Project. The project is concerned with the collective versus the individual nature of reader response to literature and the three pilot studies are: introspection studies during the reading,…

Notes that syllabus requirements for British secondary school literature courses tacitly create a course in writing as well. Presents ways in which this writing component can be implemented, without isolating it from the literature component. (HTH)

Contrasts "layering" and "assimilating" models of learning, preferring the model in which new information is affected by and fused with previous knowledge. Considers how literature study can contribute to cognitive growth, calling for the focused use of in-class discussion to help students arrive at profound responses to literature. (DMM)

Describes a reader response study indicating (1) a high degree of agreement on reader beliefs and text events and (2) that students who empathized with a particular character identified the story conflict as pertaining to that character. Suggests specific reader-based and text-based factors that produce convergence and divergence in reader…

Makes a case for an emphasis on dual-worker families as opposed to dual-career couples. The numbers of dual-worker families are rising so significantly that they are the source of current social policy concern. Little research is available which explicitly compares issues facing dual-career versus dual-earner (but not dual-career) families. (KS)

Recommends, in dual-career family research, describing models that are general enough to apply to individuals with various lifestyles and taking more of a family systems perspective. Recognition and rewards for enhanced family relationships and goals met would be appropriate. Recommends Gilbert and Rachlin's triple helix model which notes the…

Considers how children's vocabulary develops in reading contexts. Focuses on the role of independent reading as one of the major factors influencing vocabulary growth. (AEW)

Suggests that teachers should foster situations where text, readers, and teacher can meet in collaborative ways. Identifies four reading research categories focusing on different contexts that surround the reading act. (MM)