Chapter 2. Learning from literature
-
Frank Hakemulder
Abstract
This chapter explores what learning from literature entails and how we can come to insights about what literature can mean in the lives of readers, what they may discover about themselves and others. Reading literary stories leads to higher scores on standardized tests for social skills (e.g., ‘reading’ other peoples’ minds) than reading non-literary stories (Kidd & Castano, 2013). The available research, however, does not inform us about what causes these effects, relevant knowledge for a variety of social contexts, including literary education and social competence trainings (e.g., for managers). We explore the methodological possibilities and limitations to test our assumptions about relevant factors, conducting interdisciplinary research by combining insights of the Humanities in textual processes with the methodological rigor of the Social Sciences.
Abstract
This chapter explores what learning from literature entails and how we can come to insights about what literature can mean in the lives of readers, what they may discover about themselves and others. Reading literary stories leads to higher scores on standardized tests for social skills (e.g., ‘reading’ other peoples’ minds) than reading non-literary stories (Kidd & Castano, 2013). The available research, however, does not inform us about what causes these effects, relevant knowledge for a variety of social contexts, including literary education and social competence trainings (e.g., for managers). We explore the methodological possibilities and limitations to test our assumptions about relevant factors, conducting interdisciplinary research by combining insights of the Humanities in textual processes with the methodological rigor of the Social Sciences.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Contributors xv
- Chapter 1. Empirical approaches to the study of literature in learning environments 1
-
Part I. Reading processes in communities of practices
- Chapter 2. Learning from literature 19
- Chapter 3. Authorizing the reader in the classroom 39
- Chapter 4. Transforming readings 57
-
Part II. Reading processes in EFL/L2 contexts
- Chapter 5. Enhancing responses to literary texts with L2 learners 83
- Chapter 6. Empirical stylistics in an EFL teaching context 105
- Chapter 7. Literary themes across cultures 125
- Chapter 8. Of learning and poetics 151
- Chapter 9. Literature and the role of background knowledge for EFL learners 169
-
Part III. Creative writing, corpus, and empirical stylistics as learning tools
- Chapter 10. Effects of creative writing on adolescent students’ literary response 193
- Chapter 11. ESL students’ perceptions of creative and academic writing 213
- Chapter 12. Empirical stylistics as a learning and research tool in the study of narrative viewpoint 227
- Chapter 13. Point and CLiC 253
- Chapter 14. Literary awareness in a high-school EFL learning environment 271
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Contributors xv
- Chapter 1. Empirical approaches to the study of literature in learning environments 1
-
Part I. Reading processes in communities of practices
- Chapter 2. Learning from literature 19
- Chapter 3. Authorizing the reader in the classroom 39
- Chapter 4. Transforming readings 57
-
Part II. Reading processes in EFL/L2 contexts
- Chapter 5. Enhancing responses to literary texts with L2 learners 83
- Chapter 6. Empirical stylistics in an EFL teaching context 105
- Chapter 7. Literary themes across cultures 125
- Chapter 8. Of learning and poetics 151
- Chapter 9. Literature and the role of background knowledge for EFL learners 169
-
Part III. Creative writing, corpus, and empirical stylistics as learning tools
- Chapter 10. Effects of creative writing on adolescent students’ literary response 193
- Chapter 11. ESL students’ perceptions of creative and academic writing 213
- Chapter 12. Empirical stylistics as a learning and research tool in the study of narrative viewpoint 227
- Chapter 13. Point and CLiC 253
- Chapter 14. Literary awareness in a high-school EFL learning environment 271
- Index 303
