Distinguished Professor of English Teaching Jeffrey Wilhelm, from the Department of Writing Studies and former director of the Boise State Writing Project, recently had a new book published which is a guide for teachers who teach writing. The book is entitled “Diving Deep Into Fiction: Transferable Tools for Reading ANY Fiction, Grades 6-12.”
Fiction has the unique power to unlock a profound way of knowing the world, yet many learners struggle to understand and connect with literature on a deeper level. Building on the game-changing strategies from their bestselling “Diving Deep Into Nonfiction,” renowned educators Michael W. Smith and Jeffrey D. Wilhelm introduce a revolutionary framework that demystifies fiction for adolescent readers.
This book empowers teachers to show students how to recognize the Rules of Notice — the conventions that signal what’s important in a text — and analyze key literary elements like genre, character, point of view, symbolism and theme. The essential mental models in the book will guide students as they read and write fictional texts. When students learn to pay attention to these signals, they begin to unlock the rich, complex worlds that fiction offers.
This practical guide provides everything teachers need to help students become more competent and confident readers of fiction. Inside, you’ll find:
- A clear introduction to the four Rules of Notice that accomplished readers use intuitively: direct statements, calls to attention, ruptures, and reader’s response
- Classroom-tested lessons and engaging short excerpts that model how to apply these rules to any fictional text
- Sample think-alouds and ready-to-use materials that guide students to connect with what they notice and make their own meaning
- Strategies for interpreting essential literary elements, including genre, character, point of view, symbols, and thematic conversations
With this book, teachers will gain the tools to teach students how to read fiction with intention and insight.