The Literary Experience - Hardcover

Beiderwell, Bruce; Wheeler, Jeffrey M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 141301917X ISBN 13: 9781413019179

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2007

Bruce Beiderwell and Jeff Wheeler know that studying literature can be intimidating because of the specialized terminology and categorization. Rather than focusing first on terms or definitions, THE LITERARY EXPERIENCE helps you develop the skills to understand and appreciate literature by organizing the book and beginning each discussion by asking the same questions that you really ask yourself when you read a text - questions like "What happened and why do we care?" or "Who is involved and why does it matter?". With THE LITERARY EXPERIENCE, you will learn all of the literary terms you need to share your experience while you engage in the poems, stories and plays themselves.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Bruce Beiderwell completed his Ph.D. in 1985 and since then has taught a wide range of composition and literature courses. He has published articles and reviews on 19th century fiction and detective fiction. His book, POWER AND PUNISHMENT IN SCOTT'S NOVELS (University of Georgia Press, 1992), was nominated in 1993 for the McVities Prize, an award given to the best book of the year on a Scottish subject. Beiderwell is now director of UCLA Writing Programs.

Review:

"I like that approach. It should help the students focus on reading the text per se, as opposed to reading "the genre." And students need all the help they can get synthesizing. I'm also hoping that so many of my students who love film but aren't sure about their commitment to reading will see the commonality of "reading" a film and reading a text, and might be encouraged to read more."

"Your 'canon' is quite inclusive-- I am happy to see females authors and authors of color well represented. I am also happy to see Shakespeare, Swift, and other 'classics.' Your literature selections include very new writing and very old-- as it should be in an introductory course in literature. As a newcomer to the text, it is reassuring to see literature that I have taught many times before along with works I have not yet taught. Teaching should be a process of continual learning, and the inclusion of unfamiliar texts allows for that."

"I very much like the idea of works in different genres to teach the basic elements of literature. This not only keeps from relegating poetry to the "deeper, harder" section of the semester, but demonstrates that poetry can be read and understood by the average student. It also helps students to focus on single elements and develop their ideas about specific works rather than trying to write about a work in many general terms."

"The thematic clusters are the strongest feature of the text. Teaching by themes allows the teacher and students to explore the different ways different writers examine and develop similar ideas."

"In terms of the specifics of the chapter (Chapter 12) that I have been sent, I applaud the inclusion of film discussions. Students are very aware of popular culture, and film is often a good way to explain literary terms, techniques, and other tools that literature students need to learn. Additionally, the text seems not to treat film as something simply to be enjoyed (vs. enjoyed, appreciated, examined, studied, treated seriously, etc.), and as a film instructor (in addition to literature, film adaptation, etc.), this is refreshing to see."

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.