Literature and L2 Composition: Revisiting the Debate

Abstract The role of literature in the composition classroom has long been controversial. In this article, we examine the arguments both for and against the use of literature by, first, surveying the main stances taken in L1 composition pedagogical theory, which predate and have significantly influenced L2 composition, and then by reviewing L2 compositionists' own perspectives on literature. The L2 arguments can be seen as resonating, but at the same time, diverging from those of L1 writing theory. Yet, all can be interpreted as responses to by now familiar themes in both L2 and L1 compositions, such as process versus product, academic discourse community initiation versus preparation for life, and hegemony of the established elite versus empowerment of the less privileged. Our goal in this review of the long-standing debate is not to encourage polarization for or against literature, but rather to provide, through the varied perspectives presented, a basis for informed decisions about the possible value of literature in particular contexts in which teachers and their students find themselves.

[1]  Anthony R. Petrosky,et al.  Facts, Artifacts, and Counterfacts: Theory and Method for a Reading and Writing Course , 1986 .

[2]  Christopher Brumfit,et al.  Teaching literature overseas : language-based approaches , 1983 .

[3]  CONNECTING LITERATURE TO STUDENTS' LIVES , 1993 .

[4]  Peter Elbow.  The war between reading and writing— and how to end it , 1993 .

[5]  Braj B. Kachru.  The Non-Native Literatures as a Resource for Language Teaching , 1980 .

[6]  Linda Harklau,et al.  Generation 1.5 meets college composition : issues in the teaching of writing to U.S.-educated learners of ESL , 1999 .

[7]  Raymond Williams,et al.  Marxism and literature , 1977 .

[8]  S. Krashen.  The Power Of Reading , 1993 .

[9]  Linda Gajdusek.  Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages , Inc . ( TESOL ) Toward Wider Use of Literature in ESL : Why and How , 2007 .

[10]  Claire J. Kramsch,et al.  Context and Culture in Language Teaching , 1993 .

[11]  H. Frey,et al.  25 Centuries of Language Teaching , 1971 .

[12]  W. Grabe,et al.  Theory and Practice of Writing: An Applied Linguistic Perspective , 1998 .

[13]  B. Malamud,et al.  The Complete Stories , 1997 .

[14]  W. Bishop.  The Literary Text and the Writing Classroom. , 1995 .

[15]  R. Fowler,et al.  Literary text and language study , 1985 .

[16]  Stephen Slater,et al.  Literature in the Language Classroom , 1994 .

[17]  Benjamín Harshaw.  Fictionality and Fields of Reference: Remarks on a Theoretical Framework , 1984 .

[18]  B. Huppé.  The web of words , 1970 .

[19]  Sharon Crowley,et al.  Composition In The University: Historical and Polemical Essays , 1998 .

[20]  Joy M. Reid,et al.  Teaching ESL writing , 1993 .

[21]  Ronald Carter.  Keywords in language and literacy , 1995 .

[22]  Gillian Lazar,et al.  Literature and language teaching , 1992 .

[23]  Salikoko S. Mufwene,et al.  The Other Tongue: English across Cultures , 1984 .

[24]  Ruth Spack.  The Acquisition of Academic Literacy in a Second Language , 1997 .

[25]  Glynda Hull,et al.  "This Wooden Shack Place": The Logic of an Unconventional Reading. Occasional Paper No. 22. , 1990 .

[26]  P. Strevens,et al.  New Orientations in the Teaching of English , 1979 .

[27]  Stephanie Vandrick,et al.  Writing in multicultural settings , 1998 .

[28]  M. Short.  Reading, Analysing and Teaching Literature , 1989 .

[29]  Alan Hirvela,et al.  A study of the integration of literature and communicative language teaching , 1993 .

[30]  Braj B. Kachru.  The Other tongue : English across cultures , 1984 .

[31]  Braj B. Kachru.  The Alchemy of English: The Spread, Functions, and Models of Non-native Englishes , 1990 .

[32]  S. Krashen,et al.  Why Don't Language Acquirers Take Advantage of the Power of Reading?. , 1997 .

[33]  Ruth Spack,et al.  Literature, Reading, Writing, and ESL: Bridging the Gaps , 1985 .

[34]  Erika Lindemann.  Freshman Composition: No Place for Literature , 1993 .

[35]  John McRae,et al.  Literature with a Small "L" , 1994 .

[36]  Alexandra Rowe Krapels.  Second Language Writing: An overview of second language writing process research , 1990 .

[37]  Tony Silva,et al.  Broadening the Perspective of Mainstream Composition Studies , 1997 .

[38]  H. Widdowson.  Stylistics and the teaching of literature , 1975 .

[39]  Elaine P. Maimon,et al.  College Composition: Initiation into the Academic Discourse Community@@@Four Worlds of Writing@@@Writing in the Arts and Sciences , 1982 .

[40]  Tony Silva,et al.  Second Language Writing: Second language composition instruction: developments, issues, and directions in ESL , 1990 .

[41]  Amy Tucker.  Decoding Esl: International Students in the American College Classroom , 1991 .

[42]  L. Henrichsen.  Teacher Preparation Needs in TESOL: The Results of an International Survey , 1983 .

[43]  Barbara Kroll.  Second Language Writing. Research Insights for the Classroom. , 1990 .

[44]  William R. Smalzer.  Write to be read : reading, reflection, and writing , 1996 .

[45]  Alan Hirvela.  ESP and literature: A reassessment , 1990 .

[46]  Diane J. Tedick,et al.  Reading in the Composition Classroom: Second Language Perspectives , 1993 .

[47]  Stephen Krashen,et al.  The Natural Approach , 1983 .

[48]  A. Howatt.  英语教学史 = A history of English language teaching , 1984 .

[49]  David Crystal,et al.  The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language , 2012, Modern Language Review.

[50]  Daniel Horowitz.  Fiction and nonfiction in the ESL/EFL classroom: Does the difference make a difference? , 1990 .

[51]  H. H. Stern,et al.  语言教学的基本概念 = Fundamental concepts of language teaching , 1983 .

[52]  J. Hill.  Using Literature in Language Teaching , 1987 .

[53]  Alastair Pennycook,et al.  The cultural politics of English as an international language , 1994 .

[54]  Gary Tate,et al.  A Place for Literature in Freshman Composition. , 1993 .

[55]  V. Ramanathan,et al.  "English Is Here to Stay": A Critical Look at Institutional and Educational Practices in India. , 1999 .

[56]  Renata K. Kelly,et al.  “Fiction talk” in the ESP classroom , 1995 .

[57]  Judith Oster,et al.  Seeing With Different Eyes: Another View of Literature in the ESL Class , 1989 .

[58]  J. Hedgcock,et al.  Teaching ESL composition : purpose, process, and practice , 2001 .

[59]  C. Brumfit,et al.  Literature and the learner : methodological approaches , 1989 .

[60]  H. Widdowson.  Explorations in Applied Linguistics , 1979 .