Stylistics Research Project - Aston University

 PhD Research Project - ‘History theirs whose language is the sun.’ An investigation into the use of stylistics to improve engagement and attainment in poetry from students in KS3 English and the effect of these practices on the Professional Identity of Secondary School English teachers.

Thank you very much for completing the survey and for assisting me in my doctoral research.  If you:

• ·        Are interested an integrated approach to teaching literary texts using  language strategies
• ·         Are/will be teaching poetry at KS3 during this academic year
• ·         Would like to be involved in a doctoral research project exploring its use in teaching poetry at KS3

Then please read more about this exciting research opportunity below.

 

What is an Integrated Approach to Language and Literature?

 

In short an integrated approach to language and literature (sometimes called ‘stylistics’) offers teachers a toolkit of strategies to analyse a range of texts in a way which is 'grounded in language analysis' (Webb and Giovanelli, 2023.)  The strategies of textual analysis which are offered by an integrated language and literature approach have been described as 'rigorous, retrievable and replicable' (Simpson 2004) meaning that they are not single use strategies for one type of text but can offer students a range of highly effective tools to analyse all texts, seen and unseen with a high degree of rigour.

 

What does the research involve?

 

This project is focussed on the effect that teaching texts using stylistics can have on the professional identity of an English teacher.  In order to explore the effects that teaching using this strategy can have the project will follow three steps which are detailed below.

 

Step 1 - Initial Online Interview (30-45 minutes)

 

Firstly I will conduct an interview with yourself in which I can learn a bit more about your current attitudes towards teaching, what interested you in the project and what you want to achieve by its conclusion.

 

Step 2 - A series of 5 sessions regarding different language inspired teaching practices and teaching of poetry. (5 x 60 minute sessions)

 

After the initial interview we will conduct a maximum of 5 online sessions over a number of weeks where we explore different areas of an integrated approach to teaching and how you can tailor them towards your own practice.

 

In taking part in the project you will receive a free e-copy of The Language of Literature: An Introduction to Stylistics by Marcello Giovanelli and Jessica Mason (RRP: £16.79), prior to our meeting I will recommend a specific reading from the book for you to complete as well as a section of the University of Nottingham’s Stylistic toolkit.  This is intended to give you some initial understanding of the strategy before we discuss how you may apply it you’re your own lessons.  These sessions are intended to be collaborations to explore how teaching through an integrated language and literature approach can develop your own teaching practice.

 

During this process you will also be asked to keep a reflective journal where you reflect on the different strategies you have used and how effective they were which will be shared with myself for the purposes of the project.

 

Step 3 – Final evaluative interview (30-45 minutes)

The final step in the project will be an evaluative interview where I can learn about your experiences of the project as well as your attitudes toward the teaching of poetry by using pedagogical stylistics.  This interview will ask you to reflect on your journey over the project and how it has affected your philosophy on teaching English.

 

What is in it for me?

By working with this project you have the opportunity to be involved in developing the future of classroom textual analysis by joining a growing movement within the field of English teaching.  You will also benefit from developing a wide range of practical strategies which can be used at any level of teaching and with any class or text type.

As well as expanding your teaching practice you will also be working alongside Aston University who are leading the development of understanding and application of pedagogical stylistics in English classrooms.  This can be included in any performance management or CPD documents.

In addition to this you will also be helping to develop a teaching practice which is helping more and more students access texts in a way which is ‘rigorous, retrievable and replicable’ (Simpson, 2004) as well as receive a free e-copy of The Language of Literature: An Introduction to Stylistics by Marcello Giovanelli and Jessica Mason (RRP: £16.79)

If I am interested what do I need to do?

 

If you are interested please fill in the form at the link below and I will be able to let you know if you have been included in the project.

https://forms.office.com/e/AmXW4EU1HR

If you have any questions about the project which you would like me to answer then please feel free to email me at the address below.

 

200262743@aston.ac.uk