[LM_NET] HIT: Theories of "good literature"

[Ellen Nosal <enosal@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

Here is my original target posting:
   
  Seventh grade students will evaluate some books they have read to determine if 
they meet the criteria as "good" literature.  They will be looking for 
theories/rubrics from which they can make their evaluation.  Does anyone know where 
I can look for such theories?  Bear in mind that they are in 7th grade.
   
  Here are the great responses I received. Thanks to all you replied -- from near 
and far:
   
   
  Some questions students could ask themselves (that could apply to any novel) are 
some of these: 

- Did the characters ring true? Were their actions  believable? Did they have any 
depth? Did you care about them? 
- Did the plot have any holes in it? Did it move too fast or too slow? Did loose 
ends get tied up? Was there a conflict or moral dilemma that was solved?
- Did the back story involve real facts from history? Were there technical 
descriptions (such as mountain climbing gear and techniques in a new story we have 
called, Peak)? Are these real facts accurate and do they add something to the story?
- Was there anything unusual about the format? (Such as a story in verse, or 
journal entries) Did the format help the reader understand the story better?

These are examples of the questions I have to answer when I review books for SLJ, 
and if these qualities are all super, in my mind, then the book gets a great review.

Vicki Reutter, LMS
Cazenovia (NY) High School
vreutt@aol.com
vreutter@caz.cnyric.org
  
 
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  Start with the general criteria of book awards like the Nutmeg & the 
Newbery.  
Most of them have clear standards that you could adopt when developing 
rubrics with the students.

Mary Tichey-Staack, LMS
Branchville Elementary 
Ridgefield, CT

*******
  Characteristics of Good Literature: 
  Good literature reflects life and enriches the life of the reader. 
  o         It is a reflection of human existence and brings forth a greater 
appreciation of life as it illuminates the world around us.
  o         It provides adventure in the world of the imagination or nature where 
the reader can live temporarily.
  o         It has credible characters that participate in situations that are 
understood by the reader (birth, death; friendships, justice, loyalty...).
  o         It proposes plausible themes and subjects of significance.
   
  Good literature appeals ARTISTICALLY
  o         It is well crafted with a unity, technique, and structure that is 
vivid, creative, truthful, and intelligible to the reader.
   
  Good literature appeals INTELLECTUALLY 
  o         It crystallizes ideas for the reader or stimulates creative thought.
  o         It expands the mind. 
  o         It helps the reader to understand him/herself and others better.
   
  Good literature appeals EMOTIONALLY
  o         It is satisfying as it deepens and enriches feelings whether by joy, 
tears, humor, sadness, fear or delight.
   
  Good literature appeals SOCIALLY/CULTURALLY
  o         It deals with subjects or themes of lasting significance and adds to 
the cultural background of the reader.
  o         It gives social, moral, cultural, and/or ethical insight.
   
  Julie Perry
Library Media Specialist
Moriarty and Wequonnoc Elementary Schools
jperry@norwichpublicschools.org
jpecsu@ct.metrocast.net


  
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