This issue of the "Illinois English Bulletin" is devoted to developing critical awareness, through poetry, values, the elements of fiction, and literary study. The first section considers approaching narrative through the use of popular materials and includes two essays: "Grim Tales in the English Classroom" by Larry Danielson and "From the Comics to the Classics" by Galen R. Boehme. The second section explores varying the approach with the level and contains two articles: "Overcoming Student Antipathy to Poetry" by Kitty Locker and "Student Resistance to Poetry: A Theory" by Meg Files. The third section, on approaching a novel through polemics, consists of an article by James Obertino, "Teaching 'Brave New World.'" The last article, "Not for Entertainment Only" by Donald A. Offermann, considers approaching teaching with conviction. (LL)