Argues that many new books for schools are simply more colorful versions of earlier texts which inculcate racist and imperialist ideas in children. (Editor)

Discusses the way in which Margaret Walker's novel "Jubilee" successfully portrays black American history during the period of slavery, the Civil War years, and Reconstruction, as seen by the women who lived it. (GW)

Identifies a rhetoric of public theology that is specifically targeted for mass audiences in an attempt to influence religious and secular publics on public policy. Argues that such a rhetoric differs markedly from that of civil religion and displays three characteristics: expedient simplicity, existential content, and action rituals. (JD)

A case is made for the importance of studying literature as part of the second language instructional program. Literary criticism introduces linguistics, anthropology, metaphysics, psychoanalysis, and other areas and theories and ties them into into the study of language and literature. (CB)

Criticizes contemporary approaches to literature instruction that inculcate passivity. Proposes a system of teaching literature that promotes cultural literacy and active, rather than passive, reading by encouraging students to discover cultural messages and make their own interpretations of the cultural infrastructure and culture-specific values…

This critique of Gerald Horne's book, "Black and Red," points out the confusion, disorganization, errors, and omissions which make itdifficult to read and understand. However, the importance of the book is its contribution of raw material to the knowledge about Du Bois during his last fifteen years. (VM)

Notes that many literature students have disliked studying eighteenth century literature and reflects on the positive effect New Criticism has had on the teaching of it. Compares Kramnick's and Pocock's views with those of the New Criticism. (JC)

In his 1928 play, the Harlem Renaissance writer Leslie Pickney Hill portrays Toussaint L'Ouverture, the leader of the Haitian slave rebellion, with historical accuracy. Hill's presentation was aimed at rehabilitating black pride, "A worthy literature reared upon authentic records of achievement is the present spiritual need of the race."…

Summarizes several leading theories regarding the disappearance of childhood in modern society. Examines this pattern of eroding childhood in two young adult novels, Robert Cormier's AFTER THE FIRST DEATH and Cynthia Voight's A SOLITARY BLUE. (MM)

The literary merit of American History textbooks is explored with emphasis on inspiring and motivating students. Expert panelists reviewed books from fifth, eighth, and eleventh grades. They criticized the following elements: (1) size/weight; (2) prose style; (3) coverage; (4) group consciousness; and (5) format/graphics. (VM)

Presents results of a study of how readers fill in information "gaps" in a text to make meaning, using adolescents' response to a story by Brecht. Concludes that such gaps bore children uninterested in making meaning, and that those who make meaning from a mechanical stance may be limited in their comprehension unless deeper ways of…

Notes that early studies in the rhetoric of science and technology emphasized how it differs from classical rhetoric, while more recent studies emphasize the similarities and thus the political/ethical and probabilistic character of contemporary science and technology and of the contemporary discipline of technical communication. (SKC)

Finds that current pedagogical emphases on audience analysis and adaptation in the field of technical writing are based largely on classical conceptions of audience and society. Traces the influences of rhetoricians who challenge the classical model as inadequate or inappropriate for contemporary rhetorical situations. (SKC)

Considers ways in which teachers can determine and teach aspects of cultural appreciation through foreign language literature and evaluate whether the culture depicted is authentic, aculture, burlesque, or deformation of culture. (Author/CB)

Examines various images of disabled or handicapped persons in diverse novels and plays. Addresses these images as literary devices and allegorical symbols. (NKA)