when reading a novel for a literature course, what should students look for?

In order for a novel to be appropriate for an entire class to live in for a length of time, it must have strengths that on some level transcend the realm of personal taste. Each book selection must be meaningful for students, connected to their interests, and accessible for my heterogeneously grouped classes.

Full Answer

What are the most often taught American literature novels in classrooms?

Here is a list detailing some of the most frequently taught American Literature novels in classrooms today. Mark Twain's (Samuel Clemen's) classic novel is a must for all students studying American humor and satire. While banned in some school districts, it is a widely read and appreciated novel.

What makes a novel appropriate for a class?

In order for a novel to be appropriate for an entire class to live in for a length of time, it must have strengths that on some level transcend the realm of personal taste. Each book selection must be meaningful for students, connected to their interests, and accessible for my heterogeneously grouped classes.

What is the best way to read a novel?

When you do read, really engage with the text: think about what the author's doing to construct the novel/poem/play/etc., what literary techniques and motifs are being deployed, and what major themes are at play.

What can we learn from literature?

From classic love stories to unique and status-quo-questioning novels each book can teach us something new about the study and writing of Literature, and help us to unearth more insight into our own interests and writing skills.

What a literature student should know?

So, here are 5 things a literature student knows or should know:Writing, Writing, Writing. ... Literature References will be a part of your vocab. ... Critical Analysis is your most powerful tool in your mental arsenal. ... There is no limit to how much you can read. ... Pretty much knowledgeable in almost everything under the sun.

What should I look for when studying a novel?

In particular, the following points are important to consider when reading and analyzing literature:Characters: Who are the main characters in the piece? ... Events and interaction: What happens in the story? ... Setting: Where does the piece take place? ... Time: When does the story take place?More items...

What are the factors to consider in choosing books or reading materials in teaching literature?

There are many factors to consider -- their reading levels, interests, backgrounds, previous experiences with reading, aspirations and even fears. In fact, it may even be one of the most challenging cognitive tasks a teacher takes on during the school year.

What should I look for when reading a book?

Consider these tips to reading a novel effectively:Read for comprehension. This is always the goal when we read anything. ... Pay attention to repetition. ... Read with themes in mind. ... Know your literary elements. ... Watch for interpretations when reading a novel.

How do you study a literature novel?

How to Study a NovelResearch. Doing some research on the background of your novel will greatly enhance your understanding of the characters, themes and plot. ... Read. Your first reading of the novel should focus on reading only, rather than starting off by taking a lot of notes. ... Read again, creating notes. ... Evaluate.

How do you evaluate a novel?

How to evaluate booksAuthority/authorship.Currency/timeliness.Coverage/relevance.Purpose/audience.Accuracy/documentation.Objectivity/thoroughness.

What should a teacher consider in selecting literary selection?

Selecting a literary text for a language classroom requires a number of considerations. Many things, for example, students' age , their emotion ,intellectual maturity and their interests and hobbies should be taken into consideration before selecting a literary text.

What is the importance of selecting the reading materials to read?

students need to read in a second or foreign language, for they possible lack the necessary understanding of the target culture. Choosing reading materials wisely al so implies considering the text itself. The topie, the type of text and the information it sustains make the text relevant.

How do you read and analyze a novel?

When analyzing a novel or short story, you'll need to consider elements such as the context, setting, characters, plot, literary devices, and themes. Remember that a literary analysis isn't merely a summary or review, but rather an interpretation of the work and an argument about it based on the text.

What different steps are involved in the reading of novel?

As you start reading, identify the main characters, the setting, and the narrator of the story, to help you understand the basics of the novel before moving on to more complex ideas. Then, pay attention to the author's writing style and think about why the story is being told that way.

What should you look at before you read something to get ready to read?

Look for words in bold print ahead of time, as they tend to be vocabulary or important terms you should know. Are there graphs or pictures? Look at them and read the captions before reading.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain's (Samuel Clemen's) classic novel is a must for all students studying American humor and satire. While banned in some school districts, it is a widely read and appreciated novel.

The Scarlet Letter

Hester Prynne was marked in scarlet for her indiscretions. Students connect with this classic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and it's great for discussion .

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee's awesome novel of the Deep South in the midst of the Depression is always an excellent choice for high school students.

The Red Badge of Courage

Henry Fleming struggles with bravery and courage during the Civil War in this excellent book by Stephen Crane. Great for integrating history and literature.

The Great Gatsby

Can anyone think of the 'flapper' era of the 1920s without thinking of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby?" Students and teachers alike find this era in history fascinating.

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck's tale of Dust Bowl victims ​traveling west for a better life is a classic look at life during the Great Depression.

The Call of the Wild

Told from Buck the dog's point of view, "The Call of the Wild" is Jack London's masterpiece of self-reflection and identity.

1. How will we read it, and is it the right level of challenge?

For most of my whole-class novels, I read most of the book out loud to the students. I can assess understanding, explain vocabulary as we go, and model metacognitive strategies during the process. This means I can pick a pretty hard book.

2. Will it foster a love of reading?

Kids don’t have to love every book they read in school. My seventh graders always hate the first few pages of To Kill a Mockingbird because the vocabulary is so difficult.

3. Which standards will I teach, and how?

Notice that I don’t ask whether the book hits the standards. It’s reading. All good books hit the standards. It’s all about choosing whether I want to focus on the unreliable narrator in this novel or the multiple viewpoints in another or the historical connection in a third.

4. What prior knowledge do my students need for this book to make sense?

This often comes down to a timing issue. My students always know a lot about World War II, but nothing about Vietnam. If I’m choosing a historical fiction novel, it’s often easier to get one set in a time period with which they’re more familiar, especially if it’s a difficult book.

6. What concerns will parents or administrators have about this book?

Get them on board early. Make sure parents know the issues you’ll be discussing in class so they can follow up at home, if they so choose. Also, never underestimate the power of the permission slip when it comes to piquing students’ interest.

7. Could this book potentially cause harm?

When I taught sixth grade, I really wanted to use Katherine Paterson’s The Great Gilly Hopkins, a fantastic book I remembered from my own childhood. You know what I had forgotten? The really disturbing casual racism throughout the book, especially the fact that the offensive material often comes from the protagonists.

8. How can this novel stretch beyond my classroom?

Do you have a great guest speaker who could come talk about issues in the book? Does it relate to the social studies or science curriculum? Could it spawn an amazing field trip or memorable community service project? You don’t have to ask whether a book is relevant; any book is relevant if you make it relevant.

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How Will We Read It, and Is It The Right Level of Challenge?

• For most of my whole-class novels, I read most of the book out loud to the students. I can assess understanding, explain vocabulary as we go, and model metacognitive strategies during the process. This means I can pick a pretty hard book. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to pack a short novel into the three weeks after standardized testing, yo...

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Will It Foster A Love of Reading?

Which Standards Will I Teach, and How?

What Prior Knowledge Do My Students Need For This Book to Make Sense?

What Concerns Will Parents Or Administrators Have About This Book?

Could This Book Potentially Cause Harm?

How Can This Novel Stretch Beyond My Classroom?