They would study together in groups, filling in those who had not read the text. Students would also share homework, gaining a superficial outline of a reading. Finally, when test time arrived, these students would employ outstanding writing skills to structure superb essays, even quoting lengthy passages from the text with accompanying analysis. For the first three years, our English curriculum stresses writing skills using literature as a catalyst. Many of our students achieve mastery in writing strong literary essays.
Most teachers allow students to write open book essays.
This has the down side that good writers can get by with only casual familiarity of the text. To use literature as a springboard for writing imaginatively, critically, or informatively. To recognize reading as a lifetime activity which enriches our intellect and provides entertainment. The Hook Many students seem to have a maximum 30-minute attention span. It is essential when introducing reading today to provide some sort of hook to draw them in.