Appleman, Critical Encounters Chapter 1

Appleman's chapter, "The Case for Critical Theory in the Classroom," explains a lot of interesting points that may or may not be great classroom instruction tools. Literary Theory was rarely taught in my high school classrooms and approaches to it seem hard for students to understand. Applemans approach to literary theory is right on however when he discusses that literary theories keep us understanding that different styles and interpretations are good for learners to realize. Readers also gain a great understanding of other cultures and different ways of looking at the same text. Using critical lenses to discover there world as Appleman puts it is an interesting thought, since adolescent students are always questing for more knowledge and experiences to understand their world and where they fit into it.
Reader Response theory is mainly the only theory that was addressed in my high school classroom. Unfortunately, this was the only one, but I feel that through reading Appleman and his points of incorporating many literary theories can be beneficial for students in a high school classroom. By looking at his questions on pg. 9, I realize that a good planning approach is the best way to develop teaching literary theory to my students. The question he asks, "which contemporary theories seem best-suited or most age-appropriate to high school students? Are some more teachable than others?" are great questions to develop answers for, because you as a teacher are more prepared to handle the topic and the students will be greatful as well.