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Exploring Literature: Writing and Thinking about Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and the Essay
by Frank Madden. Longman, NY: 2001. 1524 pp.
One needs only to review the nontraditional presentation of the contents of Frank Madden's Exploring Literature to appreciate the unique purpose and presentation of its varied contemporary and classical pieces for an introduction to literature course. Madden says, "At the heart of Exploring Literature is the belief that literature can have an important impact on students' lives [... ] by encouraging students to see their reading in the light of their own experiences [ ...]" (xxxiii), and that belief is clearly expressed in both the selections of readings and the activities proposed. Part 1, "Making Connections," introduces us immediately to personal response and critical thinking, entreating students to keep "reading logs" as they write to learn. Throughout the text, Madden encourages the use of the writing process, including collaborative...