Demonstrating a critical stance requires readers to stand
apart from the text and consider it objectively. It involves a range of tasks
including critical evaluation; comparing and contrasting; and understanding
the impact of such features as irony, humor, and organization. According to
this paper, the selection of appropriate literature is a crucial initial step
in developing a critical stance. The paper delineates the following 16
teaching strategies to engage students in responding to literature:
questioning the author; students develop own questions; teacher-guided
questioning; teacher modeling of strategies; journals; create a strong
response; sketch-to-stretch; defining good literature; collaboration; graphic
organizers; sustained silent reading; engage students in peer response;
alternatives to summarization; read aloud short stories; literature circles;
and other ideas for developing a critical stance. (Contains 19 references.)
(NKA)