This paper investigates how short stories can be integrated into an English language Class, in order to consolidate students’ knowledge of the English language - grammar and vocabulary; and to promote their creative writing skills. The use of short stories can contribute to students’ reinforcing effectively and meaningfully their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary while it can help students to be more creative and imaginative in their writing in a way to free the students from the routine procedures occurring in the classroom. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize language instructors with the effectiveness of using literature in language instruction. This approach allows more exploration of the short story, offers the students more opportunities to formulate their own ideas or feelings about the issue(s) as well as to improve their basic skills in the language learning process. To cater various learning styles, it is necessary to devise various kinds of tasks and activities. All of them are carried out in English to immerse students in an English-speaking environment. To prove this concept fruitful a lesson plan has been devised with appropriate activities and a short story has been selected as a model. Key words: Literature in Language classroom, short story, language skills classes, Lesson Plan "Literature is, first of all, to be experienced, to be enjoyed, to be appreciated, to be loved. Each reader, in the process of experiencing a literary work, both brings meaning to and takes meaning from that work." (Vandergrift, 1995) Background It is a perplexing question that what is authentic material that can satisfy learner’s linguistic needs in a class room. In this regard, various theories have been presented and ... ... middle of paper ... ... for advanced level readers, 4. motivates learners to read due to being an authentic material, 5. offers a world of wonders and a world of mystery, 6. gives students the chance to use their creativity, 7. promotes critical thinking skills, 8. facilitates teaching a foreign culture (i.e. serves as a valuable instrument in attaining cultural knowledge of the selected community, 9. makes students feel themselves comfortable and free, 10. helps students coming from various backgrounds communicate with each other because of its universal language, 11. helps students to go beyond the surface meaning and dive into underlying meanings, 12. acts as a perfect vehicle to help students understand the positions of themselves as well as the others by transferring these gained knowledge to their own world.
Abcarian, Richard. Literature: the Human Experience : Reading and Writing. : Bedford/Saint Martin's, 2012. Print.
Nilson, Allen Pace & Kenneth L. Donelson. “Stages of Literary Appreciation” in Literature for Today’s Young Adults. Longman, 2001: pp. 35-42. [PDF in Blackboard]
Literature is such a beautiful thing because it does not give us an answer to it's questions. There are so many iffy spots that leave us to develop our own thoughts and feelings toward the piece of work. This is an interesting factor because at many times it affects us in a different way and can develop us as an individual. When reading a piece of literature, one person can interpret it in different ways than another person reading the same piece of work. I remember analyzing poems with my English class in the previous years and when we were asked to interpret it, we all had different answers. Sometimes what I got out of the poem didnt even go close to the direction that my classmate was going in. However, when I saw it from her view I saw more of where they were coming from I learned more about them.
The power of reading may be evident to many people around the world, but to others it may not be realized until that one magnificent work that changes the meaning of literature forever to them. Literature has never been my strong suit, but throughout this course and after many readings, literature began to speak to me. My perception of literature immediately changed after reading the short story The Lottery by Shirley and the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.
As we connect through the basics of reading, we become a verse in the grand poem of life, contributing our perspective of an imagination into a grander culture of reading. Our souls are compelled to add presence to each word in the text and to crawl in and fill the gaps that were left in between each line. Our role as the reader is to give life and meaning to what we read. Through our actions as a reader, the text then fulfills its purpose by giving substance and structure to the absence of life.
One of the constants in life is that there is always meaning. Without meaning, mankind struggles to set itself apart from the beasts, it loses it’s way, and so it creates meaning in every aspect of it’s existence. Whether it’s as momentous as leading a nation, or as simple as a kind word to a friend, man always trusts that there is a reason for it’s actions, that there’s a purpose behind their gestures, and that fuels their drive to live. One of mankind’s proudest achievements, literature, is simply a reflection of it’s world, a massive collection of knowledge and experience that waits to be tapped by both scholars and students alike. Through years of study and analysis, Thomas C. Foster, author of How to Read Literature like a Professor,
... formulate their argument by first explaining the differences between the genres and acknowledging the opposing arguments. The author does this to answer any general questions the reader may have about such an english class and also provides the benefits. The author’s purpose to writing this piece was to persuade people that the way english classes are taught needs to be changed from covering general english subjects to introduction to different types of writing. The author believes students would benefit more from these classes and prepares them better for future classes and also writing in their professional careers.
Literature takes a single sentence and turns it into a powerful story with sorrow, humor, and mystery. Combined with literary elements, the reader experiences the power of extreme emotions and is taken past the boundaries of reality. In reading, a reader takes on the role of a character through characterization. They experience problems they would not usually encounter and the complications people endure to overcome obstacles. Charles Dickens proves how strong a golden thread is and the lengths by which a man will go to restore it through the light bringing character of Lucie Manette in A Tale of Two Cities.
Literature is used throughout the world and many consider it as a language itself. It is used to express emotions and the human's imaginations through creative writing. Literature is written work that is superior and has artistic merits. Schools and officials are stating that literature has no real values that will help students in the real world. They are wanting to restructure schools to better fit what is now needed in our society, but many argue that literature has merits that far exceeds the real world problems. In our history, literature not only gave humans an outlet to record their thoughts through creative writing, but it also allowed us to explore the deepest parts of our mind and have an eloquent way to record it, and allowing access for others to experience. Without Literature, our world would be blunt and would be lacking in color.
Seeing literature as useless is lacking to see the benefits of true aesthetics that it has to offer. Louis Rosenblatt emphasized the importance of teachers playing an important role in what students get out of the literary text and how they act upon it. What she is trying to explain to the readers is that each reading experience is unique to each person. An important part of the message she’s trying to get through to the readers is being referenced to students when she says, “He needs to understand himself; he needs to work out harmonious relationships with other people. He must achieve a philosophy, an inner center from which to view in perspective the shifting society about him; he will influence for good or ill its future development (3)”. Not only will the students need to associate all of
Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUENG125.10.2/sections/sec2.3
Literature has been a major part of human culture throughout human existence. It has always been used as a way of defining how humans interact with each other. Literature is defined as ‘the writings of a period, language, or country’. If ancient times are also to be considered, then myths, legends, and theatre, which passed down literary ideas, and social critiques before the time of the written word, should also be included in this definition. The plays of William Shakespeare are a perfect example of pieces of literature that are not only entertaining, literature for literature’s sake, but also provide great insight into human nature. In one form or another, literature is entrenched as an expression of the ways of humanity, and so by absorbing it, one can gain a greater understanding of human behaviour.
Literature has had a major impact on society, and, also our history. Literature has reformed and shaped civilizations, changed political systems, and has exposed injustices (3). Our literature has changed and developed as we have, keeping up with our society. “...literature is crucial for the advancement of society (3).” With literary works, we can convince others to view things a certain way, share our opinions, and more. Literature is greatly intertwined with our society and everyday lives, and they would not be the same without it. Literature plays an irreplaceable role in our
Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from: https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUENG125.10.2/sections/h2.1
Literature has many purposes, and opens doors to unique worlds. Through Literature, we discover ourselves and world time and again.