|
|
Preparing for Reading DiscussionsWe will have reading discussions throughout the course.
How can you prepare for them and get the most out of the readings?
For all of the readings in class, you can prepare for in-class
discussion by using what I call the STAR system.
Summarize
Terms
Ask questions
Reactions
Think about the following
areas as you read or after you read. Take notes so you can refer to your thoughts in class.
1. Summarize
Summarize what you think are the main ideas and purpose of the author's
work.
- How would you summarize the main points of the reading in 2 or 3 sentences?
- What do you think the author's purpose was in writing the piece?
2. Terms
Identify the key terms and concepts introduced by the reading.
- What do you think are the key terms and concepts of the reading?
- How are these terms central to the main points of the reading?
3. Ask questions
Ask questions if something is unclear, if you want to explore more,
or if you want to challenge something in the reading.
- What terms or phrases are unclear?
- What key points or arguments are unclear?
- What are the implications of what the author is saying?
- What's the context in which the author might be writing?
- How can we apply the author's ideas?
- How would you compare the author's views with your views?
- What would you want to question about the reading?
4. Reactions
Notice how the reading affects you in terms of sparking thoughts, feelings,
ideas, or questions.
- What is your gut reaction to what you just read?
- What caught your attention?
- What was interesting, frustrating, exciting, confusing, etc.?
- What part most engaged you or bored you?
If you prepare for each reading by addressing these four areas, you
should be well-prepared for the in-class reading discussion!
|
|
|
