Paper presented at Annual Convention of National Council of Teachers of English (Milwaukee, Wis., November 30, 1968).

Membership Issue

Assesses the religious content of 34 young adult novels. Reports that nearly half of the titles evidenced no religious content, 13 provided a moderate and unobtrusive religious element, and 5 presented religion as an important element. (MM)

Discusses criteria and problems in judging the following forensic events: after-dinner speaking, informative speaking, persuasive speaking, and rhetorical analysis. (For journal availability, see CS 706 260.) (PD)

The difficulties and advantages of integrating feminist literary criticism into the college English curriculum are examined. It is argued that attention to the place of womem in literature would help to illuminate the human experience, a primary objective of literary criticism. (MSE)

Discusses the nature and purpose of rhetorical criticism within academic, political, and historical contexts. Traces some of the ideological forces underlying twentieth century criticism. Considers the works of Herbert Wichelns, Kenneth Burke, Forbes Hill, Lawrence Rosenfield, and Martin Heidegger. (PD)

Shows that the presidencies of Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan have been rhetorical echoes of the original Populists. Demonstrates the durability and elasticity of a style born in nineteenth century grass roots political reform. (PD)

Reports the results of a pilot study conducted to determine the effect of the gender of college students on their responses to three short stories. Concludes that male students react to disturbing stories by rejecting or dominating them while female students more often achieve critical detachment. (JL)

Offers examples of ways that college and university departments of English can broaden students' capabilities as readers and critics. (AEA)

A student during McLuhan's early days of teaching at Saint Louis University analyzes the qualities that made him a superb and influential teacher. Recalls that his teaching of literature conveyed a sense of its moral and social relevance and the historicity of the present. (PD)

Describes how the discussion of a few short poems on abortion was used to show how the special language of poetry can help doctors share the experience of their patients, as well as recognize their own feelings and attitudes. (JL)

Points out the problems and potential of teaching the Bible as literature. (JL)

Discusses the themes used in "The Right Stuff," Tom Wolfe's story of the seven astronauts in the Mercury program. Reviews Wolfe's rhetorical and literary techniques used to enlarge reality and create a heroic mode. (DMM)