write an essay about should there be specific texts that all students of high school english must read

Answer 1

Title: The Benefits of Specific Texts in High School English Curriculum

Introduction:
The English language and its literature have contributed significantly to shaping the world's cultures, histories, and perspectives. High school students, as future leaders and critical thinkers, should be equipped with a comprehensive foundation in literature. While it is essential to foster creativity and individualism in reading choices, there is a compelling argument for implementing specific texts in high school English curriculums. By exposing students to a range of classical and contemporary works, schools can ensure students receive a well-rounded education, develop critical thinking skills, and build a shared cultural understanding.

Body:

1. Cultural cohesion and intellectual growth:
Introducing specific texts as mandatory readings unites high school students around shared cultural experiences. Such exposure provides a common ground for discussions and debates about societal issues, literary analysis, and empathetic understanding. These readings can include time-honored classics like William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, George Orwell's 1984, and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Shared experiences in literature can bind diverse student populations together and help promote understanding and tolerance.

2. Developing critical thinking skills:
A set of specific texts allows students to explore various writing styles, themes, and literary techniques. Through studying works from different time periods, genres, and cultures, students can develop critical thinking skills such as analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. For instance, reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby explores the American Dream, the corruption of wealth, and the illusion of social status, fostering critical thinking about society's values and human ambition.

3. Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences:
English literature encompasses a rich tapestry of voices, experiences, and cultures. By having specific texts that examine varying perspectives, schools can help broaden students' understanding of the world and foster empathy. Introducing texts like Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings or Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart provides students insight into the experiences of marginalized communities and fosters empathy and cultural sensitivity.

4. Literary canon and cultural literacy:
The inclusion of specific texts helps ensure that students have a basic understanding of the literary canon—the most influential and significant literary works. These iconic texts have played a role in shaping societies and are often referenced across the arts and popular culture. Equipping students with an understanding of canonical works, such as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, prepares them for further studies, enriches their cultural literacy, and enables them to engage in a broader conversation about literature.

Conclusion:

While it is important to give high school students some flexibility in choosing their own reading materials, incorporating specific texts in the curriculum is crucial. By including a balance of classic and contemporary works, mandatory readings provide a shared cultural understanding, develop critical thinking skills, and expose students to diverse perspectives and experiences. The inclusion of specific texts should not be seen as restrictive but rather as an opportunity for students to explore a wide array of literature, cultivating a lifelong love for reading and deepening their understanding of the world. Thus, implementing specific texts in high school English curricula holds numerous advantages for the intellectual growth, cultural enrichment, and cohesive learning experience of students.