How is Qualitative Interview Data Like a Poem? [Symposium Study I Part IV]
  Dan Lukiv

Perhaps you find that question peculiar. Interview data, from qualitative research (Madjidi, n.d.; Patton, 1987; and van Manen, 1990), is generally not "characterized by the imaginative treatment of experience and a heightened use of language more intensive than ordinary speech" ([Webster's:] Poem, 1992, p. 749), nor by "composition characterized by intensity and beauty of language or thought" (p. 749). Outside the domain of human science, freelance writers, reporters, and journalists interview informants (Adamec, 2000; and Cool, 1987), and talk show hosts (my all time favorite: Johnny Carson) interview guests. These interviews, no matter how biased the interviewers, usually provide the information or entertainment sought. Some of these interviews may actually posses poetic characteristics as just mentioned from Webster's. Have you heard, on a talk show, manic Robin Williams' "imaginative treatment of experience and...heightened use of language more intensive than ordinary speech"? Some might call his performances strangely poetic. But the question remains: In the world of human science research, How is qualitative interview data like a poem?    full text >>>

Facilitating Learning in the Composition Classroom through Individualized Goals
  Sharon M. Studenka

As I began teaching as a graduate assistant at a mid-size university I envisioned students eager to read, write, and discuss. But these illusions were quickly shattered by the question "What do I have to do to get an A?" and by the attitude of students who would rather be anywhere than in a required freshman composition course. I began to question myself and my teaching methods, until the middle of the semester.

On the first day of the class I give students my expectations and goals for the course, but during my first semester as an instructor I had failed to acknowledge their individual expectations and goals. Through goal setting the students can meet the goals I have established for the course but also have more input into their own education. At first "such a class [was] challenging to manage because students [accomplished] their own purposes, [and received] individualized guidance" (Bower 180). However, by using their individual goals as an outline for their one-on-one conferences with me, they received the personalized instruction and met both course and individual goals.   full text >>>

Pedagogy for Men
  Marvin Gettleman

I rarely accompany Emily when she gives talks at professional academic conferences. She usually prefers to be alone at those times, to meet old friends, make new ones; to perform those mysterious operations called networking, or as she says to enjoy just being by herself. Earlier in our marriage, projecting my own former experiences and urges that usually welled up at poetry readings, I used to wonder: does she ever have affairs at these meetings? But as the strong physical attraction that cemented our ten-year old marriage miraculously continued, I thought about it less, worried less.    full text >>>

Many Mountains Moving:
The Structure of a Small Literary Magazine
  Jessica Perciante

After two and a half years of English instruction at an institution of higher education, I decided to do an internship, as it would assist me in my goal of entering the business of publishing. I felt I was entering unexplored territory, not because I was the first English major ever to be an intern, but because many of my fellow English majors wanted to be teachers and, therefore, were student teaching instead. I asked my poetry professor for advice, and he recommended Many Mountains Moving, a literary magazine of which he was a contributing editor. Within days, I had mailed my resume, talked with the editor in chief, and received a summer internship. By the end of the summer of 2003, I had successfully completed the internship, which I could now add to my resume. I also decided never to work at a literary magazine.

Perhaps other small literary magazines are different in regard to these factors, although I know most literary magazines, unless they are connected to a wealthy benefactor or a university, struggle with both timely publication and money. Perhaps some are organized to the point where everybody has a well-defined job with set hours and set expectations.    full text >>>