Literature Improves Empathy


Have you ever felt that reading a good book makes you better able to connect with your fellow human beings? If so, the results of a new scientific study back you up, but only if your reading material is literary fiction; pop fiction or non-fiction won’t cut it.

Great Expectations from great literature … empathy occurs in the spaces between characters, such as Joe and Pip, pictured here in the 2012 film adaptation. Photograph: Moviestore/Rex Features

Empathy occurs in the spaces between characters, such as Joe and Pip in Great Expectations. Photograph: Moviestore/Rex Features

Psychologists David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano, at the New School for Social Research in New York, have proved that reading literary fiction enhances the ability to detect and understand other people’s emotions, a crucial skill in navigating complex social relationships.

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Final Exams (5/23–29)

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Freshmen: Exam Study Guide, Essay Feedback Mark-Key, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Literary Analysis Essay Rubric, Macbeth E-text, Outline & Rubric, Theme Log, TFA E-text

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA Template, MLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Works of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:9 (May 19–22)

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Freshmen: Khanmigo Task, Essay Feedback Mark-Key, Exam Study Guide, Final Exam Schedule, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Literary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template, Macbeth E-text, Outline & Rubric, Choice-Emphasis Tracker for Films, Theme Log, TFA E-textTFA (Pre-)Notes

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Works of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:8 (May 12–16)

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Freshmen: Exam Study Guide, Khanmigo TaskOmni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Literary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template / Macbeth: E-text, Outline & Rubric, (Pre-)Notes, Reading Shakespeare, Choice-Emphasis Tracker, Theme Log, Performance Prep Sheet, Choices & Emphasis Tracker, Performance Roles & Responsibilities (A1–2, B1–2, B3–4, C3–4)

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Works of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:7 (May 5–9)

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Freshmen: Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Outline & RubricLiterary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template, Interactive Macbeth E-text, Plain Macbeth E-text, Macbeth AudioplayTheme Log, Performance Prep Sheet, Choices & Emphasis Tracker, Performance Roles & Responsibilities (A1–2, B1–2, B3–4, C3–4)

Seniors: Final Journal, Literary Terms, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Evaluative Language / Etexts: Beloved, “Books”, “Goose”, “Locked” / Paper 1: Overview, Rubric, Video, Scored Sample / Paper 2: Overview, Rubric, Video, Outline Padlet, Scored Sample / Major Works Comparison Charts (A6–7 & B6–7)

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Works of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:6 (Apr. 28–May 2)

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Freshmen: Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Outline & RubricLiterary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template, Interactive Macbeth E-text (join with 8U3QCZ), Plain Macbeth E-text, Macbeth Audioplay, Macbeth Pre-Notes, Theme Log, Performance Prep Sheet, Choices & Emphasis Tracker (for Film), Theme-Tracing Task, Performance Roles & Responsibilities (A1–2, B1–2, B3–4, C3–4)

Seniors: Final Journal, Literary Terms, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Evaluative Language, Paper 1 & 2 Meal Prep / Etexts: Beloved, “Books”, “Goose”, “Locked” / Paper 1: P1 Overview, P1 Rubric, R1 Video / Paper 2: Overview, P2 Rubric, R2 Video / Major Works Comparison Charts (A6–7 & B6–7), Paper 2 Outline Padlet

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Works of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:5 (Apr. 22–25)

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Freshmen: Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Outline & RubricLiterary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template, Interactive Macbeth E-text (join with 8U3QCZ), Plain Macbeth E-text, Macbeth Audioplay, Macbeth Pre-Notes, Theme Log, Performance Prep Sheet, Choices & Emphasis Tracker (for Film), Theme-Tracing Task, Performance Roles & Responsibilities (A1–2, B1–2, B3–4, C3–4)

Seniors: Final Journal, Literary Terms, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Evaluative Language, Paper 1 & 2 Meal Prep / Etexts: Beloved, “Books”, “Goose”, “Locked” / Paper 1: P1 Overview, P1 Rubric, R1 Video / Paper 2: Overview, P2 Rubric, R2 Video / Major Works Comparison Charts (A6–7 & B6–7), Paper 2 Outline Padlet

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Works of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:4 (Apr. 14–17)

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Freshmen: Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Outline & RubricLiterary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template, Interactive Macbeth E-text (join with 8U3QCZ), Vocab.com (for Act III Notes), Plain Macbeth E-text, Macbeth Audioplay, Macbeth Pre-Notes, Journal #6a, Journal #6bTheme Log, “Reading Shakespeare”, Performance Prep Sheet, Soliloquy Breakdown, Choices & Emphasis Tracker, Performance Roles & Responsibilities (A1–2, B1–2, B3–4, C3–4), Theme-Tracing Task

Seniors: MLA Template, Literary Terms, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Critical Lenses, Evaluative Language / Paper 1: P1 Overview, P1 Rubric, R1 Video / Paper 2: Overview, P2 Rubric, R2 Video, Beloved E-text, Major Works Review Charts (A6–7 & B6–7) / Oyeyemi Stories: “Books”, “Goose”, “Locked”

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Selecting a Work of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:3 (Apr. 7–11)

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Freshmen: Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Outline & RubricLiterary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template, Interactive Macbeth E-text (join with 8U3QCZ), Vocab.com (for Act III Notes), Plain Macbeth E-text, Macbeth Audioplay, Macbeth Pre-Notes, Journal #6a, Journal #6bTheme Log, “Reading Shakespeare”, Performance Prep Sheet, Soliloquy Breakdown, Performance Roles & Responsibilities (A1–2, B1–2, B3–4, C3–4), Theme-Tracing Task

Seniors: MLA Template, Literary Terms, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Critical Lenses, Evaluative Language / Paper 1: P1 Overview, P1 Rubric, R1 Video / Paper 2: Overview, P2 Rubric, R2 Video, Beloved E-text, Major Works Review Charts (A6–7 & B6–7) / Oyeyemi Stories: “Books/Roses, “Dornička/Goose, “Book/Locked”

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Selecting a Work of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline

Week 4:2 (Mar. 31–Apr. 4)

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Freshmen: Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Outline & RubricLiterary Analysis Essay Rubric, MLA Template, Interactive Macbeth E-text (join with code 8U3QCZ), Macbeth Vocab Practice, Plain Macbeth E-text, Macbeth Audioplay, Macbeth Pre-Notes, Journal #6a, Theme Log, Citing Macbeth, “Reading Shakespeare” Packet, Performance Prep Sheet, Soliloquy Breakdown, Performance Roles & Responsibilities (A1–2, B1–2, B3–4, C3–4)

Seniors: MLA Template, Literary Terms, Omni-frames & Analytical Verbs, Critical Lenses, Evaluative Language / Paper 1: P1 Overview, P1 Rubric, R1 Video / Paper 2: Overview, P2 Rubric, R2 Video, Beloved E-text, Major Works Review (A6–7 & B6–7) / Oyeyemi Stories: “Books/Roses, “Dornička/Goose, “If a Book”

Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Say Something, Eduaide.ai, CAS Handbook / Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub / EEs: Full EE Guide, MLA TemplateMLA Sample PaperCat. 1 (28/34)Cat. 1 (30/34), EE Rubric, English EE Scoring, Prescribed Reading List, Selecting a Work of Literary MeritWorld Studies EEs, Benton EE Timeline