Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-227) and index.

Pt. I. Teaching and learning literature : understanding tradition, rethinking practice. Stories from the classroom : lessons on learning literature ; From telling to teaching : the literature workshop in action -- Pt. II. How readers and texts make meaning. Which interpretation is the right one? A workshop on literary meaning ; The problem of background knowledge : a workshop in intertextual literacy -- Pt. III. How to talk and write about literature. Where do interpretations come from? ; What's worth saying about a literary text? -- Pt. IV. Writing assignments in literature classes : perennial problems and provisional solutions. Writing assignment in literature classes : the problem ; Writing assignments in literature classes : models for solutions-in-progress -- Pt. V. The foundations of literary knowledge. Honoring readers and respecting texts : value and authority in literary interpretation ; What do students need to learn? The dimensions of literary competence.