Teaching Literature Rhetorically: Transferable Literacy Skills for 21st Century Students

by Jennifer Fletcher

English language arts teachers often find themselves defending their discipline and the practical values it has. When will I read this again? is an all too common question heard in classrooms. Author Jennifer Fletcher faced the same questions and more. In Teaching Literature Transferable Literacy Skills for 21st Century Students she shows you how to help your students develop transferable literacy skills that allow them to succeed not just in their English language arts classes, but in their future lives and careers. The book is built around eight high-utility literacy skills and practices that will help students communicate effectively and with confidence as they navigate important transitions in their Integrating skills and knowledge from texts Reading closely and critically Assessing rhetorical situations Negotiating different perspectives Developing and supporting a line of reasoning Analyzing genres Communicating with self and others in mind Reading and writing with passion Teaching Literature Rhetorically offers readers writing prompts, readings, discussion questions, graphic organizers, as well as examples of student work and activities for helping students to understand key rhetorical concepts. As Fletcher writes in her introduction rhetorical thinking promotes the transfer of learning ― the single most important goal we can have as teachers if we hope to have a positive impact on our students’ lives. This book will help teachers everywhere do just that.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2018

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I have suffered numerous PD texts, and this one provided some theoretical insight next to some practical activities. I especially liked her activities and lessons because they can be adapted to any text. Too many PD texts offer lessons for specific texts that are difficult to adapt. I also loved how Fletcher highlights the applicable writing that can be done in concert with reading rather than as separate skill. This book is a must for English teachers, particularly 10-12th grade and even some 1st or 2nd year college classes. I don't see a lot of it being accessible to 9th -- some, but not much.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, this books is about teaching literature for real life. Fletcher makes a case for why we need to teach students reading and writing skills they can transfer to any situation and provides high-quality, engaging, thoughtful ways to help students do just that.

Fletcher helps us see how we might use students' identities, values, and communication experiences to help them understand both literature and the world on a deeper level. My notebook is now full of strategies I can't wait to use: values hierarchy, communication feature analysis matrix, Walk Up Music, descriptive plot outlines, character style sheets, peer reading quizzes, GoFundMe requests--I could list a dozen more.

Importantly, Fletcher never discounts or dismisses the way literature can move us personally, Instead, she explores how we can channel that emotion toward additional connections with others and the world at large. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's looking for ways to help students make the connection between literature and the world they encounter when they walk out the school doors. In other words, all English teachers should read this book.

[Keisha Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Fletcher’s Teaching Literature Rhetorically is an essential guide for ELAR educators seeking to make literature instruction more engaging, relevant, and transferable. By reframing literary analysis through a rhetorical lens, Fletcher bridges the gap between reading and writing, ensuring that students develop deeper critical thinking skills that extend beyond the classroom.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emphasis on rhetorical reading—teaching students to approach texts as purposeful acts of communication rather than static artifacts to be dissected for symbolism and theme. Fletcher provides practical strategies for helping students engage with texts in ways that encourage inquiry, conversation, and authentic interpretation. Instead of formulaic responses, students learn to read with an awareness of audience, context, and intent, fostering a richer understanding of literature’s role in shaping thought and discourse.

Fletcher also highlights the importance of transfer, a concept often missing in traditional literature instruction. She challenges the compartmentalization of literary analysis, urging educators to design lessons that help students apply rhetorical thinking across disciplines and in real-world contexts. By positioning literature as a tool for critical engagement with the world, she ensures that students leave the classroom with skills that matter beyond standardized tests and five-paragraph essays.

What sets this book apart is its practical application. Fletcher doesn’t just discuss pedagogical shifts—she equips educators with concrete lesson ideas, adaptable activities, and models for implementing rhetorical approaches to literature. Whether exploring argumentation through literary texts, crafting meaningful discussions, or helping students see themselves as part of the interpretive process, Teaching Literature Rhetorically is a game-changer for educators who want to make reading and writing instruction more dynamic and meaningful.

For teachers who want their students to move beyond passive analysis and truly engage with texts as thinkers, communicators, and writers, Teaching Literature Rhetorically is an indispensable resource. Fletcher’s insights offer a pathway to deeper learning, ensuring that literature remains not just an academic exercise but a powerful means of understanding and shaping the world.

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect read for AP Language and Literature! Jennifer Fletcher is such a passionate educator with some excellent ideas in the transfer of learning to my students’ lives and future endeavors. There are some excellent lessons included, and I couldn’t believe how many annotations I had throughout her book. A must read for English teachers!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might come back later to write an actual review or reflection, but for now, I must say that I loved this book. I am confident the strategies outlined here will help me become a more effective educator, and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all educators that teach literature.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great ideas to expand what I already do

[Melissa Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Fletcher provides activities that are relevant and actually doable.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful information with lots of practical classroom applications and examples

[Joni Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book! Game changer

[John Niehaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this throughout the summer and was one of the better PD books I’ve read.

[Debs Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have begun doing this but not to the extent she suggested, and I hadn't really considered how poetry fit into a RS. Lots of great ideas that helps today's students connect with literature.

[Aimée Skidmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is invaluable for any literature teacher. I find the approach not only refreshing, but it allows students to power up their analysis skills because it provides them with another lens through which to see a piece.
It is especially useful for those students who struggle to see authors’ moves/ techniques. You know the ones! You often hear them say, ‘I just don’t get literature.’