Teaching the Epistolary Novel Form through Fanny Burney's 'Evelina.' Teaching Ideas and Topics.

N

5

Practitioners; Teachers

Class Activities; Classroom Techniques; Eighteenth Century Literature; English Literature; Grade 8; Grade 9; Instructional Effectiveness; Journal Writing; Junior High Schools; Literary Genres; Literature Appreciation; Novels; Writing Assignments; Writing Strategies

For several years, one educator has taught Charles Dickens's "Great Expectations" to eighth and ninth graders. She recently discovered a woman writer of the 18th century whose novel could be taught using the same format used to teach Dickens's novel. Fanny Burney's "Evelina" is an exceptional book, effective not only for teaching the epistolary novel form, but also for teaching etiquette, teenage relationships, the "rites of passage" theme, and for teaching about 18th-century London society. Prior to the reading, students do some journal writing on such topics as trying to impress someone, committing a social blunder, and picking an adult figure in whom they can confide. Students are then given copies of one or more letters from the book and asked to write a summary of the letter, including their reactions to the letter. Students are divided into small groups to discuss key ideas from the novel. The small groups then discuss their findings with the entire class. (CR)

2002

ED461112