How to Read like literature like a professor by thomas C. Foster AP Literature and Composition

Objectives: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

Pre-reading What do you think it means to “read literature like a professor” or to “read between the lines”? What do you think about the purpose of the text based on the title: to inform, to entertain, to persuade? What does the title suggest about the author’s purpose? What do you make of the insertion of the words “lively and entertaining”?

About the book Foster encourages your students to discover possibilities in literature by sharing his insights about memory, symbol, and pattern in order to make sense of the subtext of literary works. He invites us to take up “the language of reading” and to think more deeply about short stories, novels, plays, and movies. Foster regales us with his own classroom stories and lesson ideas throughout the book. He also provides ample titles and examples in each chapter to clarify his claims.

Reading assignments We will be focusing on Chapters 1-8 Each group of 4 will select 2 chapters to read. For each chapter, you will complete a chart that summarizes your reading using the assigned graphic organizer format. You’re responsible for relaying the content of your chapters to your group next Friday!