The Human in Superhuman: The Power of the Sidekick in Popular Culture spotlights the often overlooked but very crucial sidekick in superhero narratives. From the classic companion Alfred Pennyworth to the supportive best friend Foggy Nelson, this collection examines a variety of sidekick characters and their importance to the hero's journey in '''in each story. Ultimately, rather than viewing the lack of superpowers as a flaw, the essays show that it is precisely human qualities like compassion, empathy, and encourage that enable the sidekicks to help their heroes grow. Chapters include discussions of Spider-Man, Daredevil, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who, and more.

Through a critical discussion of an array of written and visual texts that feature a writer as a main character, Geniuses, Addicts, and Scribbling Women: Portraits of the Writer in Popular Culture argues for a more nuanced conception of the role of writers in society, their relationships with their reading publics, the portrayals and realities of their labor, and the construction of a "writing" identity. Expounding upon the critical genre of authorship studies, the contributors take on complex issues such as economics, professionalization, gender politics, and writing pedagogy to shape the dialogue around the nature of representation and the practice of narrative. Ultimately, contributors consider the ways in which debates over art, craft, authorial celebrity, and the literary marketplace define the parameters of culture in a given period and influence the work of culture producers. The implications of such an analysis reveal much about the status and value of creative writers and their work. This collection covers a wide range of historical periods offering a complex understanding of representations of writers from the medieval period to the Netflix era. Such an evolution challenges the perception of the writer as a monolithic presence in society and highlights its multiplicity, diversity, and its transformations through cultural and political movements.

Comic Connections: Building Character and Theme is designed to help teachers from middle school through college find exciting new strategies to help students develop their literacy skills. Each chapter has three pieces: comic relevance, classroom connections, and concluding thoughts; this format allows a reader to pick-and-choose where to start. Some readers might want to delve into the history of a comic to better understand characters and their usefulness, while other readers might want to pick up an activity, presentation, or project that they can fold into that day's lesson. This volume in Comic Connections series focuses on two literary elements-character and theme-that instructors can use to build a foundation for advanced literary studies. By connecting comics and pop culture with these elements, students and teachers can be more energized and invested in the ELA curriculum.

Comic Connections: Building Character and Theme is designed to help teachers from middle school through college find exciting new strategies to help students develop their literacy skills. Each chapter has three pieces: comic relevance, classroom connections, and concluding thoughts; this format allows a reader to pick-and-choose where to start. Some readers might want to delve into the history of a comic to better understand characters and their usefulness, while other readers might want to pick up an activity, presentation, or project that they can fold into that day's lesson. This volume in Comic Connections series focuses on two literary elements-character and theme-that instructors can use to build a foundation for advanced literary studies. By connecting comics and pop culture with these elements, students and teachers can be more energized and invested in the ELA curriculum.

With the popularity of comic adaptations on television and at the movies, these current topics can be a great way to engage students by bringing characters and stories they connect with into the classroom to help them build the skills that they need to be successful. Comic Connections: Reflecting on Women in Popular Culture is designed to help teachers from middle school through college find exciting new strategies that they can use right away as part of their curricular goals. Each chapter has three pieces: comic relevance, classroom connections, and concluding thoughts; this format allows a reader to pick-and-choose where to start. Some readers might want to delve into the history of a comic to better understand characters and their usefulness, while other readers might want to pick up an activity, presentation, or project that they can fold into that day's lesson. This volume in Comic Connections series focuses on female characters-Wonder Woman, Peggy Carter, and Lois Lane, to name a few-with each chapter deconstructing a specific character to help students engage in meaningful conversations, writing projects, and other activities that will complement and enhance their literacy skills.

Comics are all around campuses everyday, and with students arriving less prepared to tackle basics like reading, writing, and analyzing, this text helps connect what students enjoy to the classroom. Comic Connections: Analyzing Hero and Identity is designed to help teachers from middle school through college find a new strategy that they can use right away as part of their curricular goals. Each chapter has three pieces: comic relevance, classroom connections, and concluding thoughts; this format allows a reader to pick-and-choose where to start. Some readers might want to delve into the history of a comic to better understand characters and their usefulness, while other readers might want to pick up an activity, presentation, or project that they can fold into that day's lesson. This book focuses on defining heroic traits in popular characters such as Superman, Batman, or Daredevil, while offering a scholarly perspective on how to analyze character and identity in ways that would complement any literary classroom.

Comics are all around campuses everyday, and with students arriving less prepared to tackle basics like reading, writing, and analyzing, this text helps connect what students enjoy to the classroom. Comic Connections: Analyzing Hero and Identity is designed to help teachers from middle school through college find a new strategy that they can use right away as part of their curricular goals. Each chapter has three pieces: comic relevance, classroom connections, and concluding thoughts; this format allows a reader to pick-and-choose where to start. Some readers might want to delve into the history of a comic to better understand characters and their usefulness, while other readers might want to pick up an activity, presentation, or project that they can fold into that day's lesson. This book focuses on defining heroic traits in popular characters such as Superman, Batman, or Daredevil, while offering a scholarly perspective on how to analyze character and identity in ways that would complement any literary classroom.

English studies today are driven by demanding curriculum, but this need is often met with unenthusiastic students. "Fun" work-like movie days or projects-is often seen as what to do after the real work is finished. But what if instructors could blend the two pieces together more effectively, motivating students with interesting material while still achieving curriculum goals? This text attempts to fuse the pieces in to a cohesive philosophy. Yin and Yang in the English Classroom: Teaching With Popular Culture Texts is designed to provide college professors and high school teachers with both halves they need to tackle the job of teaching students literature and writing skills: theoretical foundations of, and practical applications for, the modern classroom. In addition to theory and research, each chapter also offers ready-to-use activities and projects that can be immediately brought into the classroom. Whether you're new and need a guide to begin your journey as a teacher, or you're experienced and want to add some spice to your classroom, this text can offer new ways to fold popular culture effectively into your teaching toolbox. Other key features of this book include: *Clear, easy-to-read sections for each chapter, including a Review of Current Literature and Classroom Connections *Student-centered solutions to increase engagement with popular culture and technology *Step-by-step plans for taking the activities from the page to the classroom easily

English studies today are driven by demanding curriculum, but this need is often met with unenthusiastic students. "Fun" work-like movie days or projects-is often seen as what to do after the real work is finished. But what if instructors could blend the two pieces together more effectively, motivating students with interesting material while still achieving curriculum goals? This text attempts to fuse the pieces in to a cohesive philosophy. Yin and Yang in the English Classroom: Teaching With Popular Culture Texts is designed to provide college professors and high school teachers with both halves they need to tackle the job of teaching students literature and writing skills: theoretical foundations of, and practical applications for, the modern classroom. In addition to theory and research, each chapter also offers ready-to-use activities and projects that can be immediately brought into the classroom. Whether you're new and need a guide to begin your journey as a teacher, or you're experienced and want to add some spice to your classroom, this text can offer new ways to fold popular culture effectively into your teaching toolbox. Other key features of this book include: *Clear, easy-to-read sections for each chapter, including a Review of Current Literature and Classroom Connections *Student-centered solutions to increase engagement with popular culture and technology *Step-by-step plans for taking the activities from the page to the classroom easily

With the popularity of comic adaptations on television and at the movies, these current topics can be a great way to engage students by bringing characters and stories they connect with into the classroom to help them build the skills that they need to be successful. Comic Connections: Reflecting on Women in Popular Culture is designed to help teachers from middle school through college find exciting new strategies that they can use right away as part of their curricular goals. Each chapter has three pieces: comic relevance, classroom connections, and concluding thoughts; this format allows a reader to pick-and-choose where to start. Some readers might want to delve into the history of a comic to better understand characters and their usefulness, while other readers might want to pick up an activity, presentation, or project that they can fold into that day's lesson. This volume in Comic Connections series focuses on female characters-Wonder Woman, Peggy Carter, and Lois Lane, to name a few-with each chapter deconstructing a specific character to help students engage in meaningful conversations, writing projects, and other activities that will complement and enhance their literacy skills.

This book analyzes what happens when teachers and students talk to each other in writing environments, such as classroom workshops, office visits, conferences, and tutoring sessions. Presented in both narrative and case study format, this research offers insight into how the stories that teachers tell can deepen meaning-making for students, as well as how the stories students tell teachers and tutors can provide insight into their prior experiences, worries, fears, and motivations. This study sorts the types of stories--and the purposes for storytelling--into clear categories that any educator can find useful. In addition, this book offers suggestions for becoming a deliberate storyteller and tips for spotting and analyzing heard stories more effectively. Although primarily designed for writing teachers and writing center administrators, this text can be meaningful for educators at any level, in any discipline, as they strive to become even more effective teachers.