Select a variety of texts to incorporate in your teaching for the semester. You may decide to choose a theme, such as American Literature, or you may prefer that your students study a plethora of different texts, such as a science fiction short story or a nonfiction biography.
Discuss the importance of literature with your students, as well as the importance of English 201 specifically. (See Reference 2.) While the majority of your students are likely English majors, you may have students who plan to enter the journalism, education or medical fields. Offer a few suggestions for how developing a well-rounded understanding of literature can benefit your students. For example, analyzing literature hones a student's ability to look for a deeper meaning in something. Literature also improves your students' understanding of history and different cultures.
Hold class discussions for a few minutes each day. Require students to participate on a regular basis to make sure each student reads the required material. During class discussions, ask questions or allow students to ask questions about the text. Offer a few interesting facts and find out what your students thought about the selection. Hold the class discussion at the beginning of the period, rather than the end of class. This way students who are uncomfortable with public speaking will not spend the entire period fretting about being called on.
Assign essays, projects or presentations. English 201 is for experienced students who already have a basic understanding of English grammar. (See Reference 3.) Require your students to write response papers or in-depth essays that demonstrate thorough understanding of what you have taught in class. You may decide to require short speeches or in-class presentations as a way to add variety to the class.
Lecture about the assigned reading materials. Each day, spend a portion of the class period talking about the assigned materials. Discuss the author's life, culture and identity, as well as any important facts about the time period. Compare the literature studied with modern literature or even literature of another genre. Ask questions throughout the class period and offer students a chance to respond.