Teaching Literature Using Dialogic Literary Argumentation

Introducing a new framework for teaching and learning literature in secondary schools, this book presents Dialogic Literary Argumentation as an inquiry-based approach to engage students in communicating and exploring ideas about literature. As a process of discovery, Dialogic Literary Argumentation facilitates conversation―"arguing-to-learn"―as a method to support students’ diverse perspectives and engagement with one another in order to develop individual and collective understandings of literature and their place in the world. Covering both the theoretical foundation and application of this method, this book demonstrates how to apply Dialogic Literary Argumentation to teach literature in a way that foregrounds dialogue, learning through inquiry, diverse views, listening to others, and engagement with our communities. Ideal for preservice teachers in literacy methods courses and practicing teachers, it features real-world cases, discussions of the principles presented, resource lists, and conversation starters for professional learning communities, professional development, and teacher education.

Matt Seymour is a Doctoral Candidate at The Ohio State University, USA. He is a former high school English language arts teacher.

Theresa Thanos is a Doctoral Candidate at The Ohio State University, USA. She is a former middle school and high school English language arts teacher.

George E. Newell is Professor of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University, USA, and Principal Investigator of The Ohio State University Argumentative Writing Project.

David Bloome is the EHE Distinguished Professor of Teaching and Learning and Director of the Center for Video Ethnography and Discourse Analysis at The Ohio State University, USA.