Teaching Literature Made Easy

A body of written works is literature (Britannica Dictionary). Historically, the phrase

has been applied to poetry and short stories distinguished by the author's intentions and the
reader's judgment of the author's artistic excellence. There are several ways in which literary
texts can be difficult to comprehend, from linguistic intricacies like complex grammar or
vocabulary to challenges of interpretation. Most issues arise because writing takes a different
approach than spoken language, prioritizing speed in conveying information.
The reader may be shocked, puzzled, or even offended by this contradiction. This is
why most academics say they feel unprepared to teach a literature course. Literature
concentrates on subjects not frequently discussed daily, which is no less plausible when
accepted at face value. Even the most complex human events are discussed using everyday
speech. This conversation is genuine, but literature has typically had much greater success.
Literature may be challenging due to the difficulty of communicating complex experiences.
It can be both fun and challenging to teach literature at the same time. When
everything happens in nanoseconds and kids constantly use technology, it can be hard to get
them interested in longer texts. Sometimes teachers find teaching literature difficult because
students need to be more interested. It can get students interested in literature if they start
with forms they already know and move on to longer texts. Then, as they go deeper into the
story, they work on the literary elements and have open discussions to get students interested.
Teachers can start with recognizable texts for the learner. It is crucial to hook students
with something they already know because they might cringe at the word "literary" in class.
Introduce poetry through song lyrics, or story structure through comics, for example. Try
using nursery rhymes and songs with younger students. Use comic books, song lyrics, or
even kid's magazines for middle school students. Try blog posts, short stories/novellas that
become movies, or lyrics to well-known songs with high school students. These famous
books will make engaging your students with literature easier. Ensure the books you choose
for younger learners are written at their reading level. They won't like reading literature they
find challenging.
Try to increase longer work. Avoid starting a longer-page novel (or a short-chapter
book for younger kids). Short stories or novellas should be read after short tales and poems.
Build and increase students' ability to focus over extended periods. Introduce more recent
texts to the curriculum. Classic literature endures for a reason, although many students find it
challenging to relate to earlier works. Make sure to incorporate some contemporary books
and stories, as these are more likely to be relevant to students in the digital age. Reading more
recent literature exploring the same ideas can help balance earlier ones. If students can see the
older types via a modern lens, they might be more receptive to engaging with them.
Give students the freedom to choose a few texts. Give them a list of options that have
been approved before allowing them to select a choice. They are more likely to be engaged
with the reader if they have some control over what they read. Teachers must allow approved
selections from outside the reading list. When the teacher discovers a book child truly enjoys,
have the entire class read it together. Reading aloud as a class ensures that everyone is
following along.
Create open discussions by asking guided, detailed questions. Avoid asking
ambiguous inquiries and be explicit about the topic. In addition, allow students time to
consider the questions before posing them. Encourage learners to discuss accepting other
responses. When a student provides an answer to a theme or a question that does not
necessarily have a single solution, urge them to investigate it. Help them to support their
claims with evidence from the text.
Encourage students to create their own unique retelling of the story. Ask them to
develop a song or a play based on the narrative, for example. Alternatively, they may create a
video, a blog article, or even tweet or SMS the story. Allow children to express their
creativity if they keep the basic themes and plot in mind.
Teaching literature may be complex at first, but if the teachers insist on the
importance of literature in their lives, students will learn to love and appreciate literature. By
doing so, teaching, and learning literature can be fun!

Prepared by:

Marenell F. Taňedo
Vega National High School

Checked by:
Diana B. Lucero
OIC-School Head