The role of empathy in literature discussions for adolescent readers.

What is it about?

This research explores the role that empathy played as eighth grade students met to discuss their experiences reading interesting young adult fiction. These reflections led to more sophisticated discussions on social themes.

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Why is it important?

Instruction for adolescent learners has been geared towards accumulating knowledge through reading expository and informational texts. English Language Arts classrooms are engaging students in less reading fiction and more reading of informational texts. Yet, students can learn a great deal from reading fiction. They can learn about themselves, others, and our social world. With this study, I try to establish the importance of this type of reading and the role that empathy plays.