Reading Strategies From Readers Handbook Close Reading Useful

Reading Strategies From Reader’s Handbook

Close Reading § Useful with poetry, directions, small part of larger work 1. Select and Read 2. Analyze—Ask ? s § Why use this word? § What does this mean? § What am I supposed to do? § What do these words tell me? § What is the significance of this detail? § Why does this begin and end this way?

Close Reading Cont’d 3. React. Make connections to what you’ve read. This is important in supporting your views. § Assume in close reading, every word carries meaning and contributes to the overall message of the selection.

Cause and Effect § Use with textbooks, fiction, and biography § Read § Create an organizer § Revise organizer as you read or re-read § Looking for cause and effect means concentrating on the process by which one event brings about another. The first is the cause, the events that occur because of that are the effects.

Cause and Effect Organizer Example Cause: Pilgrims separate from Church of England Effects: James I drives them into exile William Bradford Leads them into Holland Pilgrims decide to travel to new world, Virginia!

Note-Taking § Useful when preparing for tests, remembering what you’ve read § 5 W’s and H organizer § Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How § Key Word or Topic Notes § Summary Notes § Timeline § Good way to remember key events, details from a reading or lecture. Useful for research papers.

Outlining § Organize information into topics and subtopics. Useful in textbooks, reference works. § Topic Outlines—lists the major topics briefly in words or phrases § Sentence Outlines—contains major points in complete sentences. Used when you read longer selections. § Using outlines with textbooks—major headings are found in chapter titles, or section titles. Take note of key terms and definition (usually in special print) § Helps to organize the most important topics and details in your reading.

Paraphrasing § Used for graphics, math problems, essays, and poems. § Preview material—ask ? s as you go: § What is this graphic or selection about? § What are some clues to meaning or main idea? § What other facts and details stand out? § Take Notes—write thoughts, feelings on paper as you go. § Put material in your own words—how would you answer—what does this mean? Or what is this about? § Using your own words to record what you’ve read, seen or heard.

Question the Author § Used to understand author’s ideas in poetry and fiction. 1. Read and Ask ? s § Why did you begin this way? End this way? § Why did you have the character act this way? § Why did you arrange the events in this order? § Why did you use this particular phrase or word? § Is the time or place particularly important? § What is the main idea? § Why did you choose this subject to write about?

Question Author Cont’d 2. Infer the answers—find hints to draw conclusions from the text 3. Evaluate § This strategy of asking questions as you read about why the author made these choices help to keep you active when reading.

Reading Critically § Used when reading speeches, editorials, news stories, websites, biographies, and autobiographies 1. List—write ? s to ask yourself when reading § What is the main idea or major viewpoint of the selection? § Is the writer expert in this field? § Is the main idea support with evidence? § Is the evidence convincing? § Do the source’s seem reliable and authoritative? § Could there be other viewpoints not mentioned? § What is the writer’s motivation for writing?

Reading Critically Cont’d 2. Be an active reader-look for answers to the questions above. 3. Evaluate—after answer the questions, make an evaluation § Examine the evidence and the writer’s motivation when reading critically.

Skimming § Useful when reading a long or challenging selection—gives a sense of what the reading is about. § Skimming for general ideas § Skimming for specific information § Skimming paragraphs § Skimming on tests § Skimming means glancing quickly through a selection.

Summarizing § Use with any type of reading to recap main ideas or events in a selection. § Summarize fiction or drama § When reading, take notes on title, characters, setting, point of view, plot, theme, and style § Summarize nonfiction § Ask the general subject, the writer’s main idea, the supporting details, and definitions and explanations § Summarizing is telling the main events or ideas in a selection as briefly as possible using your own words. Summarizing can help you remember main points.

Using Graphic Organizers § Use with fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry… use to keep track of plot, cause and effect, or understand character. § Types of graphic organizers § Cause and Effect § Double-entry Journal § Character Map § 5 W’s and H § Visual pictures of ideas, helpful to remember and understand what you read.

§ 5 W’s and H Organizer Subject Who What When Where § Double Entry Journal Quote/Selection My thoughts § Character Map How character Looks and feels What character Says and Feels Character’s Name What others think of the character How I feel About the character

Visualizing And Thinking Aloud § Helpful to figure out math problems, answer test questions, picture a setting, or understand poetry with imagery. 1. Read and Sketch—you may want to make a quick sketch of a math problem, science concept, setting, or character 2. Listen to your thoughts—talk to yourself about what you’re doing. 3. Review and reflect—use the sketches to jog your memory… review and talk to yourself about them § Making a mental picture or sketch of the words you read and talking through your ideas.

Any questions? ? ? § Reading Strategies are intended to help you become a more effective reader. § Try to incorporate at least one NEW strategy this nine weeks—you’ll see a difference!!