Compare and contrast: Review of How to Teach Literature – and Still Love Reading

Here are two versions of the same review: the one I submitted to Teach Secondary magazine, and the edited one they published.

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How to Teach Literature – and Still Love Reading

(Heather Holmes and Lisa Angus, John Catt, £16)

The published version

The relatively slim nature of this volume – 129 pages, plus bibliography – belies how much knowledge and guidance its authors have managed to pack within it. Evidently the work of expert literature specialists and examiners, each chapter outlines numerous strategies for in-class work and assessing students’ understanding.

While undoubtedly a useful book for new English teachers to read and keep around for reference, it also contains some insights that even seasoned old hands will likely find valuable. Having stressed the importance of going through texts thoroughly before introducing them to students, the authors proceed to guide readers through the minefields of teaching drama, poetry and Shakespeare, while sharing plenty of suggestions for reading material that classes will find engaging.

Highly recommended.

The submitted version

The slim nature of this volume – only 129 pages plus a bibliography – belies how much is packed in. The authors are literature experts and examiners, and it shows. Each chapter suggests numerous strategies for in-class work and assessing students’ understanding. Because of this, and the authors’ backgrounds, you feel that you’re in safe hands. From that point of view this book would be a useful one for new English teachers to read and use as a reference. It will also prove valuable to “old hands”.

The authors stress the importance of going through the texts thoroughly yourself before introducing them to students: being one lesson ahead of the kids simply won’t cut it.

The topics covered include the potentially minefield-laden ones of teaching drama, poetry and Shakespeare. Agreeably, there are lots of suggestions for class reading matter, and a comprehensive list of further reading.

Highly recommended.