Booklist

Most comprehensive and authoritative literary history of New Zealand. Extensive bibliography, chapters on History, Poetry, Novel, Drama, Short Story.

OxfordUniversityPress 1998

0 19558 385 X

Senior/Adult

The A-Z of Great Writers

Tom Payne

Brief thumbnail sketches of authors’ lives including several foreign and some lesser known. Includes photos and list of works. Covers 396 works – English, European, American, International.

Colour Library Direct, Godalming Business Centre,Surrey 1997

1 85833 814 X

N/A

Shakespeare

Hamlet

Edited by Richard Andrews and Rex Gibson

One of the Cambridge School series (most of Shakespeare’s plays are covered). Arises out of research and development of the Shakespeare and Schools project. Includes running synopsis and explanation of words.

CambridgeUniversityPress 1998

0 521 43494 7

Senior/Adult

Shakespeare – The Invention of the HumanHarold Bloom

Argues that Shakespeare, our greatest and wittiest writer, invented humanity as we know it. Covers all the plays, provocative interpretation reveals how Shakespeare will continue to explain us – rich in asides.

Fourth Estate 1999

1 84115 048 7

Senior/Adult

The Hutchinson Shakespeare Dictionary

Sandra Clark

Useful as a reference or cross-reference of Shakespeare’s plots, plays, etc.

Hutchinson 1986 / Arrow 1991 / Helicon 1993 (new format)

0 09991 320 8

Senior/Adult

The World of Shakespeare

Anna Claybourne and Rebecca Treays

A delightful overview of Shakespeare’s time and his major plays with simple synopses – illustrated.

Usborne Publishing 1996

0 7460 2454 1

Junior/Intermediate

Women in Shakespeare

Judith Cook

Helpful insight to major female characters in the work of William Shakespeare. Commentary contrasts and compares the roles. Background reading to successful understanding and performance.

Virgin 1990

0 863 69383 0

Senior/Adult/Female

Mastering Shakespeare

Richard Gill

This book supplies detailed studies of important scenes from Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Excellent for senior grades.

Macmillan

0 333 69343 4

Senior/Adult

The Pocket Companion to Shakespeare’s Plays

JC Trewin

A synopsis of each play with characters, story, performance notes, film notes. Includes Shakespeare’s life, poems, glossary. Valuable reference work.

Mitchell Beasley Revised Ed 1994

1 84000 301 4

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Mr William Shakespeare’s Plays

Marcia Williams

Comic book – Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Winter’s Tale, Julius Caesar, The Tempest – fun and good overview.

Walk Books Ltd 2000

0 7445 6946 X Pbk

Junior

Poetry

Classic Poems to Read Aloud

Selected by James Berry

Lovely categories including “magical”, mirthful, old and new; also poems for many countries. Clear text, black and white and colour illustrations. Useful for choosing poems for performance..

Kingfisher 1995

1 85697 253 4

N/A

An Anthology of New Zealand Poetry

Editors: Bornholt/O’Brien/Williams

A diverse collection of New Zealand poetry spanning more than a century. Major poets are acknowledged, along with a range of controversial unique poets encompassing a range of styles and forms.

OxfordUniversityPress 1997

0 19 558355 8

All age groups

Troy Thompson’s Excellent Peotry Book (yes, it is spelt like this!)

Gary Crew and Craig Smith

An Australian book – colourful, fun. Teacher’s assignment on one page, Troy’s work on the other. A good introduction to poetry styles.

Lothian Books 1998

0 85091 834 0

Intermediate/Senior

I’m in a Mood Today – Poems about Feelings

John Foster

Collection of poems involved with feelings including being in a bad mood, family, relationships, bullying, dyslexia, sulking, caring, loneliness, left out – etc. etc.

OxfordUniversityPress 2000

0 19 276230 0 Pbk

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

How to Understand Poetry

Margaret Cutler-Stuart

Comprehensive but small. Excellent and simple understanding of poetry, types and development for all students.

Hale and Iremonger, Sydney NSW 1988

0 86806 315 0

Senior/All

Form and Feeling – Poetry for Senior Students

Elaine Hamilton and John Livingston

Excellent to use with “How to Understand Poetry” as it gives chapter introduction and examples of 12 types of poems for study.

Longman Cheshire 1^st 1981

0 582 66168 4

Senior/All

On Poetry

David Hill

Informative text on twelve poets and their verse. An old but valuable book.

Heinemann 1^st 1984

0 86863 661 4

Senior

Lives of the Poets

Michael Schmidt

Poets grouped from Chaucer to 1998. Good life background – good analysis of poets’ works.

Weidenfeld & Nicolson 1998

0 297 84014 2 Pbk

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Making of a Poem

Mark Strand and Eavan Boland

Looks at poetic forms; gives history and explanations of each form; offers a selection of exemplars.

WW Norton & Co

0 393 04916 7

N/A

99 Ways into New Zealand Poetry

Paula Green & Harry Ricketts

Compiled by two of this country’s most distinguished poets.

Random House, 2010

ISBN 978 186979 1780

Senior students

Twenty Contemporary New Zealand Poets

An Anthology Edited by Andrew Johnston & Robyn Marsack

Current NZ poetry beginning in 1986

Victoria University Press

ISBN 978 0 86473 579 3

Senior students

Theatre and Drama

The Technique of Acting

Stella Adler

Guide to the technique of acting taught in Adler’s studio with exercises and examples.

Bantam, US1^st 1988

0 553 34932 5

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Complete ABOUT ACTING

Peter Barkworth

Covers acting techniques through preparation, rehearsals, actor homework, performance, filming and loads more. Includes interviews with well known actors. Detailed contents and useful index. Easy to follow, extremely practical and useful material.

Methuen 1991

0 413 66110 5

Senior/Adult/Male/Female (some ideas adaptable for younger students)

The Actor and His Text

Cecily Berry

Loaded with ideas of how to bring text to life. Examples mainly drawn from Shakespeare but these adapt to verse or other modern scripts. Both practical and academic.

Harrap 1987

0 245 54382 1

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Starting Drama

Eric Boagley

No one will regret buying this! It speaks directly to the younger students giving a helpful guide as a text and encouragement to delve further – an excellent “starting point”.

Unwin Hyman 1986

0 7135 2681 5

Junior/Intermediate

Living Drama

Bruce Burton

Improvisation and Drama Exercises. History of Drama.

Longman Cheshire 1993

0 582 87133 2

N/A

Acting in Person and in Style – 3^rd Edition

Jerry L Crawford

Designed to assist developing actors at university level. Part I rooted in principles of Stanislavsky. Parts II and III theatre history and specialisation of style. Thoroughly based and text included.

Wm C Brown Co, DubuqueIowa1^st 1986

0 69704234 0

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

On the Subject of Drama

Edited by David Hornbrook

Challenging ideas on modern theatre techniques.

Routledge 1998

0 415 16882 hbk – 0 415 16883 X pbk

N/A

Classical Acting

Malcolm Morrison

The acting process, research, movement, voice, for classical drama.

A & C Black 1995

0 7136 4047 2

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Actor Speaks

Patsy Rodenberg

Pitched at level of first year acting students, this can still be adapted for younger students. Full of ideas and inspiration to extend vocal ability in relation to text.

Methuen1997

0 413 70020 8

Senior/Adult/Male/Female PL

Acting and Directing

Audition

Styles of Acting

Elaine Adams Novak

Creative tools for looking at styles of acting from Greeks to modern experimental. Contains a brief overview of major playwriting, acting and production styles (then and now) along with practise scenes.

Prentice Hall 1985

0 13 858796 5

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Drama and Theatre Arts

RA Banks and P Marson

Discusses dramas period by period, within historical context, plus chapters on creating drama and analysing drama.

Hodder & Stoughton Rev Ed 1998

0 340 71178 7

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Film and Television Acting

Ian Bernard

Methodically examines the techniques of acting for camera and shows how they differ from stage acting.

Focal Press – Butterworth-Heinemann 1993

0 240 80138 5

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Starting Drama

Eric Boagley

This outlines the history of drama and behind the scenes in theatre. Is creatively organised with presenters and interviewers.

Reprint Collins Educational 1996 – Originally published 1986

0 00 322218 7

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Director’s Vision

Louis E Catron

Play Direction from Analysis to Production. A textbook, which includes practical exercises. Can be used as a full guide or dipped into for inspiration or reference.

Mayfield Publishing 1989

0 87484 760 5

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Acting & Theatre

Cheryl Evans and Lucy Smith

Many aspects of theatre are covered in this basic highly illustrated book. It explains a little history, how actors train, and a range of activities for the actors.

Usborne 1992

0 7460 0699 3

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Play Directing: Analysis, Communication and Style

Francis Hodge

Everything you ever wanted to know about directing and were afraid to ask! Information, practical know-how, ideas, inspiration, along with exercises that could be used in classroom or studio – or for self development.

Prentice-Hall Inc – 4^th Ed 1971 (There are more recent editions but this has not dated)

0 13 501107 8

Senior/Adult

The Theatre – A Concise History

Phyllis Hartnoll

Development of the theatre covered in detail – colourful illustrations. Money well spent! Clear easy to read text. Available at UBS.

Thames andHudson– Reprint 1991

ISBN unknown

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Greek Drama

Gwen Hunter and Elizabeth Priest

Good resume of Greek drama with follow-up research exercises.

Addison Wesley Longman NZ Ltd 1996

0 5828 7985 x

Senior/Adult

The Story of Theatre

Kingfisher Kaleidoscopes

Interactive pop-up book. Good time line of theatre. Others in the series – Printing and Music.

Kingfisher

1 85697 281 X

Junior/Senior

Commedia dell’Arte

John Rudlin

An illuminating account of Commedia’s origins plus a practical step-by-step guide to use Commedia techniques in performance.

Routledge 1994

0 415 04769 2 hbk

0 415 04770 6 pbk

Senior/Adult

Audition

Michael Shurtleff

Full of suggestions for auditioning well, albeit for professional theatre in USA. Best of all – chock-full of extremely useful acting techniques for comedy, drama, musicals and various styles of acting. Reasonable index, but better to add more of your own for specific techniques.

Bantam Books 1980

0 553 13204 0

Senior/Adult/some ideas readily adapted for younger acting students

Improvisation

Improv! A Handbook for Actors
Greg Atkins

An extensive collection of 150 exercises to liberate spontaneity, enhance creativity and encourage students to think quickly on their feet.

Heinemann 1994

0 435 08627 8

Improvisation Starters

Philip Bernardi

Nine hundred starters – great for when the creative process dries up. Good for role plays, storytelling as well. Easily adapted.

Betterway Books,Ohio 1992

1 55870 233 4 pbk

All

Neil Simon Monologues

Editor: Roger Karshner

This book offers a wide range of speeches from Neil Simon’s plays. There is a synopsis covering major plot points, but thankfully the plays are available from Playbureau, PO Box 420, New Plymouth.

Dramaline Publications 1996

0 940669 34 X

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Impro Learning

Paul Z Jackson

Training book drawing on sources as diverse as theatre, accelerated learning, sports,

co-operative games and psychology. Makes training creative, flexible, spontaneous.

Gower 1998

0 566 07928 3

Senior/Adult

Theatre Sports

Lyn Pierse

A great guide for coaches and players of Theatre Sports.

Improcorp (Aust)

0 646 23861 2

Senior/Adult

Getting into the Act

Steve Matthews

Contains over 200 drama and action games, divided into areas; e.g. icebreakers, trust, etc.

GP Books 1988

0 477 01 400 3

Junior/Senior

Ideas that Work in Drama

Michael Theodorou

Ideal for secondary school drama teaching. Ages suggested for stimulating springboard ideas.

StanleyThornes, England– 1^st 1989

0 7487 0225 3

Junior/Senior

Public Speaking

Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language

David Crystal

A most useful, multi-faceted book.

CambridgeUniversity 1994

0 521 42 443 7

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Penguin Book of Historic Speeches

Editor: Brian MacArthur

Brings together the words of over 100 men and women from Moses to Mandela who helped to change the world through the power of their oratory.

Penguin 1995

0 14 017619 5

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Strictly Speaking

Reid Buckley

The blurb says “Tricks of the speaker’s trade from a master of rhetoric”. With eloquence the author shows how to clarify our thinking; master the mechanics of voice, expression and delivery; compose a lucid and compelling talk in decent English.

McGraw Hill 1999

0 07 134610 4

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Technically Speaking

Jan D’Arcy

Targeting and tailoring presentations. Practical guide. A general base.

Amacom 1992

0 8144 5016 4

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Lost Art of the Great Speech

Richard Dowis

Recommended for senior Public Speaking students by Donna McKinlay-Jones, Lindisfarne teacher (and now SNZ examiner).

Amacom 2000

0 8144 7054 8

Senior/Adult

The Art of Public Speaking

Stephen E Lucas

Fifth edition, but probably another available now. An excellent text, packed ;with both practical examples and information. Helpful chapter on ethics and persuasive speaking.

McGraw-Hill Inc 1995

0 07 113464 6

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Public Speaking Book

Irving J Rein

An audience centred approach to basic speech preparation. Includes case studies and different types of speeches. Practical and theoretical.

Scott, Foresman 1981

0 673 15183 3

Senior/Adult

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Public Speaking

Laurie Rozakis PhD

Wonderfully helpful even for non-idiots, but a valuable guide for teachers and speakers. A lively format with hints, activities and up-to-date material and a racy style. 358pp.

Alpha Books (a division of Macmillan) 2^nd Edition

0 02 863383 0

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Public Speaking as a Liberal Art

John F Wilson/Carroll C Arnold/Molly Meijer Werthermer

An excellent Public Speaking book for diploma students. I found this invaluable covering the art of public speaking, basic processes and understanding audiences, organising, outlining, style and delivery.

Allyn & Bacon 1993/94/95 6^th edition

0 205 1236 0

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Pros and Cons

Editor: Trevor Sather

Arguments for and against each subject appear in adjacent columns for easy comparison, and related topics and suggestions for possible motions are listed at the end of each entry. Introductory essay describes debating technique, covering rules, structure and types of debate, and offering tips on how to become a successful speaker.

Routledge 1999

0 415 19548 9

N/A

Artful Persuasion – How to Command Attention, Change Minds and Influence People

Harry Mills

A remarkably useful guide into the world of influence, tools to successfully persuade – particularly useful for students of Business Communication and Public Speaking. Peels away mystery that surrounds psychology of influence – very readable and up-to-date.

MG Press 1999

0 908722 91 5

N/A

A Sense of Style

Jane Blankenship, University of Massachusetts

An oldie, but a goodie! Excellent for Public Speaking students to give an understanding of resources of language, word choice, rhetorically effective sentences, oral style, activities to improve style. Some ethical considerations – two speeches included – “Liberty or Death” and Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address.

Dickson Publishing Co Inc.Belmont,California 1968

Library of Congress Card No 68-22993

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Our Masters’ Voices – The Language and Body Language of Politics

Max Atkinson

Analysis and commentary based on audio and video tapes – John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan, Tony Benn, Margaret Thatcher and others. An exposÁ of the “tricks of the trade”. Readable and informative – illustrated.

Methuen 1984

0 416 37690 8 hdk

0 416 37700 9 pbk

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Getting Your Ideas Across

Geoffrey Moss

Public Speaking, meeting procedure – concise.

Moss Associates 1989

0 473 00656 1

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Guide for Meetings and Organisations

NE Renton

Covers all practical aspects of meeting procedure. Designed to meet the needs of those who wish meetings to proceed in the minimum of time with maximum efficiency. Explains fundamental concepts and contains advice on correct techniques.

Law Co. 1994

0 455 21295 3

Adult/Male/Female

Members’ Meetings in New Zealand

Mark von Dadelszen

Answers all your questions on meeting procedure. Useful definition of terms. Easy reference.

CHB Print Ltd, Hawke’s Bay 1995

0 473 03184 1

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Meetings – Practice and Procedure in New Zealand

Roger Pitchforth

Author a lecturer on business law at Massey University. Detailed and presented logically with a full index. Gives the legal requirements for a complete range of meetings – companies, directors, local authorities, incorporated societies, others and marae meetings. Excellent reference.

CCH New Zealand Ltd in association with NZ Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators Inc. 1991

0 86475 132 X

Adult/Male/Female

Talkit

Deirdre Snedden

A toolkit of ideas to stimulate impromptu and semi-impromptu speaking and improvisation. It also leads to prepared speaking. Develops and increases expertise in vocabulary, reasoning, knowledge, fluency and confidence. Lively oral work.

Heinmann Education 1990

0 86863 323 2

Intermediate/Senior

Hocking’s Rules: The Essential Guide to Conducting Meetings

Dan Hocking

This book contains more than just the notes covering every aspect of meeting procedure and provides general information about starting an Association.

Simon and Schuster 2000

0 7318 0851 7

Senior/Adult

Take the Panic Out of Public Speaking

Laurie Smale

A very helpful guide by an Australian public speaking expert who shares his wealth of experience and knowledge.

Wrightbooks 1999

1 875 837 90 7

Senior/Adult

Voice

The Actor and His Text

Cicely Berry

Preparing voices for acting, text and style with particular emphasis on Shakespearean text.

Harrap Ltd 1987 and reprinted 1988 and 1989

0 245 54328 1

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Freeing the Shakespeare Voice

Kristin Linklater

A passionate exploration – contains exercises, background information on aspects of language and examples of application on texts. Invaluable for serious student work.

Theatre Communications Group 1992

1 55936 031 3

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Teaching Voice

Stephanie Martin and Lyn Darnley

Book is aimed at teachers, lecturers, students, language therapists – anyone with an interest in good vocal health. Information on voice care, physiology, communication skills, classroom strategies.

Whurr Publishers Lrd 1997

1 897635 19 2

Senior/Adult

The Voice Sourcebook

Stephanie Martin and Lyn Darnley

For professionals – teachers, students and performers. Practical ideas backed by sound theoretical knowledge. Basic “Avoid and Encourage” sections. Excellent value (Copyright free)

Winslow Press 1^st 1992

0 863888 111 4 British Library Catalogue

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

The Lungs and Respiratory System

Steve Parker

Describes the workings of the respiratory system with photos and diagrams of the various organs and their functions. At student level.

Wayland 1996

0 7502 1767 7

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Instant Calm

Paul Wilson

100 techniques for relaxation.

Penguin Books,Australia 1995

0 14 024494 8

All

Teaching Thinking and Speaking

The Mind Map Book

Tony Buzan with Barry Buzan

Beautifully illustrated to teach the techniques and application of mind mapping. This may be used for teaching creative thinking, minute taking, planning, studying, logical thinking.

BBC Books 1993

0 563 37101 3

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Adventures in Thinking

Joan Dalton

Designed for classroom use – gives detailed strategies in developing creative and critical thinking skills, co-operative talk, small group work, effectively managing small groups and evaluating children’s development.

Thomas Nelson,Australia 1985

0 17 006555 3

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Listening and Speaking

Aitken/Malcon/Scott

This New Zealand book provides listening and speaking activities in an easy-to-follow format. It includes chapters on storytelling, debating, marae protocol and interview techniques, amongst many others.

Longman Paul 1995

0 582 87820 9

All

Practical Uses of Speech Communication

Harold Barrett

Covers preparation for all occasions – discussion skills, listening, non-verbal action, the use of persuasion, audiovisual aids and communicating with verbal symbols. A good teaching book.

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 5^th Ed.

0 03 0495 91 1

All

Children’s Literature

The Oxford Companion to Children’s Literature

Humphrey Carpenter and Mari Pritchard

Nine hundred biographical entries – concise plot summaries – literary history and background – characters – written to both entertain and instruct.

OxfordUniversityPress

First published 1984 – Reprints 1984, 1985 (with corrections) 1987, 1991, 1995

0 19 211582 0

Adult/Some Senior Students

Beneath Southern Skies

Tom Fitzgibbon

Covers all major writers and illustrators of children’s books in New Zealand. A one page description of writer and works, with a photo and list of works.

Ashton Scholastic 1993

1 86943 110 3

All

Children’s Literature – An Illustrated History

Edited by Peter Hunt

Traces the history of children’s books in Britain, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand from the very first printed books to the present day. Richly illustrated in black and white and colour.

OxfordUniversityPress 1995

0 19 212320 3

Adult

Fabulous and Familiar – Children’s Reading in New Zealand, Past and Present

Curators: Mary Atwoll, Mary Hutton, Peter Ireland, Athold McCredie

Overview of children’s reading in New Zealand from 1890 to 1990. Various writers, influences covered. Well illustrated.

National Library ofNew Zealand 1991

0 44 77 02701 6

Senior/Adult

Language and Phonetics

Mother Tongue

Bill Bryson

Every lover of language should read this. Good story on the development of language.

Penguin 1990

0 14 014305 X

Adult

Practical Introduction to Phonetics

JC Catford

A good book for study for a phonetics theory paper – Licentiate.

Oxford 1990

0 19 824217 4

Adult

Introduction to Language

V Fromkin, R Rodman, T Collins, D Blair

Good resource book for Licentiate study.

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 1988

0 7295 0 332 1

Adult

Practical Phonetics

JC Wells and Greta Colson

A simple easy to use edition.

Pitman 1986

0 273 01681 4

Adult

Ship or Sheep – Teacher and Student book

Ann Baker

Comprehensive coverage of 49 units of vowels and consonant sounds with guided test sentences, dualogues, and fun graphics. Classroom or studio use. Also good for ESOL.

CambridgeUniversityPress 1992

0 52128 354 X

All

Miscellaneous

Myths

Audition Speeches

Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology

Philip Wilkinson

Covers world mythology with brief descriptions of main figures and ideas. Includes illustrations and photos. A useful research tool for students doing Grade Six Performance.

Covent GardenBooks 1998-99

1 87185 462 8

Senior/Adult/Male/Female

Audition Speeches for 6-16 Year Olds

Jean Marlow

Over 50 speeches to suit a wide range of ages and abilities. Each speech has a short introduction and brief outline of the story so far.

A & C Black, London 2000

0 7136 51091

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Professional and Business Communication

Communication

Speak Easy: The Essential Guide to Speaking in Public; Maggie Eyre (NZ author)
Exisle Publishing Limited, 2007, ISBN 987-0-908988-58-7

Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story: Jerry Weissman (American author); Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006, ISBN 0-13-187510-8

Speak For Yourself, Revised Edition, How to Give Persuasive and Entertaining Talks – with Confidence: Cristina Stuart (British author); Piatkus Books Ltd, 2000, ISBN 0-7499 2593 0