Critical Encounters in High School English - Deborah Appleman - Debriefing

Critical Encounter in High School English - Deborah Appleman

1) Is this a good text for ENGL 4800?

• Yes, it helps us as future educators explore the theories and it providing specific examplesfrom within in the classroom setting which is helpful to read about.

2) Would you use this text differently in ENGL 4800 than we did this semester? Are there chapters we shouldn't bother with?

• I think mini presentations using specific texts would have been helpful in better understanding the theories. especially deconstruction, I still struggle in understanding it.

3) Will you be able to use this text for resources or activities as a secondary teacher?

• It would be helpful in understanding theory, but I found that it could drag on. I would also use it to further help students understand multiple perspectives.

4) Anything else you want to say.

• Appleman writes in chapter two, "This book challenges current theoretical and pedagogical paradigms of the teaching of literature by incorporating the teaching of literary theory into high school literature classes. The guiding assumption of the book is that the direct teaching of literary theory in secondary English classes will better prepare adolescent readers to respond reflectively and analytically to literacy texts, both "canonical" and multicultural." I think Appleman achieves this goal by exploring the theories and providing specific examples in the classroom setting. Although I found the book helpful in understanding theory and multiple perspectives I did feel that it had a tendency to drag on, and when it comes to Deconstruction, I found it utterly confusing. Overall a good book, but maybe some sections deserve more explanation, and some less.