This volume explains how analyzing textual elements that aren't part of the text but connected to it can be used with K–16 students to improve comprehension, engagement, critical thinking, and media literacy.
Beginning with an introduction that briefly explains Genette's theory of paratext and discusses the functions of epitext theory, this book comprises theory-to-practice chapters that showcase ways in which teachers and librarians can use elements independent of a text to discuss texts and media with students. Chapters include a practitioner's section specifying practical approaches and explanations for how to use epitext.
Scaffolding an application of theory to practice, this title provides educators with an original approach to increasing literacy engagement and integration as well as for increasing media literacy and critical thinking. It includes practical ideas for using epitext in the classroom to promote critical thinking and for collaboration between teachers and librarians. It also includes editorial sidebars that provide additional "how-to" ideas, support deep thinking, make connections to relevant content in other chapters, and provide examples for students in K–16 classrooms.
Don Latham is a professor in the School of Information at Florida State University.?His research focuses on information behavior of young adults, digital literacies, and young adult literature and literacy practices, and he has published in such journals as Library Quarterly, Library and Information Science Research, Children’s Literature, Children’s Literature Association Quarterly, and Children’s Literature in Education.?He has received research grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, OCLC/ALISE, and the Florida State University Council on Research and Creativity.?He is co-editor of From Text to Epitext: Expanding Students’ Comprehension, Engagement, and Media Literacy (2021), The Information Literacy Framework: Case Studies of Successful Implementation (2020), Literacy Engagement through Peritextual Analysis (2019), and co-author of Young Adult Resources Today: Connecting Teens with Books, Music, Games, Movies, and More (2014). He teaches graduate courses in Information Needs of Children, Information Needs of Young Adults, Graphic Novels in Libraries, and in spring 2023 he will teach a special topics course on Nonfiction Resources for Children and Young Adults.