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There is reading and there is READING. This semester, we are attempting to learn how to accomplish the latter. When you read for this course, consider the following.
Did you know...
...questions are valid? Questions lead us to ponder, to ask ourselves and others for help, to think outside of the box.
...being confused is okay? If this work was easy, you would not be taking a college class on it. It's DIFFICULT! Do not undervalue your confusion. It is perfectly natural to be confused when in unfamiliar territory.
...we learn the most when we struggle with something? Not to mention it's much more heroic and definitely makes for a much better story.
Before Reading
Give yourself plenty of time. You WILL have to reread.
While Reading
Have a notebook (or laptop) and a writing utensil (whether or not you have a notebook or laptop) handy. The pen/pencil is for writing in the margins. If you are reading electronically, be sure you have a method of connecting what you are reading to what you are writing for future reference.
Taking notes while reading is ESSENTIAL. Why? (Some "notes" on taking notes: click here)
It slows you down, allowing you to focus without simply glazing over or skimming.
It puts the emphasis on your thoughts, recording those ideas and questions we all have as we read, though all too often forget. Want to know a secret? These ideas and questions are the important part of reading. They are as important as what is on the page. If they were not, there would be no point to reading.
Highlighting can be useful. However, highlighting without recording why you are highlighting is rather like putting a string around your finger and then forgetting what it's supposed to represent.
A word jotted down here and there is not note-taking. As with highlighting, we quickly forget what we meant by sparse and/or cryptic words.
Try not simply to read. The goal is to think.
What am I reading?
What did I just read?
Do I have any questions about it?
Did I understand it?
Does it connect to anything else I have read?
Why on earth did the author write that and in that way?
Do not try to read everything in one sitting. Put it down and come back to it. It does not help to wear yourself out.
After Reading
Reread! No one absorbs everything from a reading the first time through. Rereading is necessary.
Taking notes is good; reading and thinking about your notes is better.
When thinking about notes, look for patterns.
Are there questions you had repeatedly?
Are there observations that are related to each other?
Ask yourself about the themes of the reading.
What showed up regularly?
What ideas is the author interested in conveying?
Ask yourself if something was going on that was not obvious.
Were there any underlying themes?
Were any ideas buried in the reading?
Small details/passages/etc. - Sometimes, we are fascinated when we read, not about the bigger questions or key ideas, but in something small or a side issue, a word or paragraph. That is great! Run with it. Think more closely about that small detail.
After finishing each reading, compose at least three questions. The process of creating these questions will cause you to engage with what you just read.
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