How to Mark Your Text

  what readers do while they are reading to stay focused and comprehend the material  to build knowledge within the context for reading  to self-monitor comprehension and correct as needed  to make material more memorable for recall and application What is Active Reading?

  Please consult the “Active Reading Sample” pdf located under the Student Handouts section on the “Document Downloads” page of the “Academic Support Services” page of the QEP website for a demonstration of how the active reading principles apply to a section in the textbook used for History 1301 and 1302 at TJC.  Please consult the “Quick-Reference Handout for Active Reading” Active Reading Sample

 Underline major points or important or forceful statements. Rule #1

  Major point:  Often one of the primary points supporting the thesis  Usually located at the beginning of a section and/or paragraph  Important or Forceful statement:  Often one of the primary statements explaining one of the major points  Usually located at the end of a section and/or paragraph  Highlighted by signal words, such as “Most importantly…”; “Therefore,…”; “Consequently…” Underlining: Rule #1 Explained

 Draw vertical lines at the margin to emphasize a statement already underlined or to point to a passage too long to be underlined. Rule #2

  A statement already underlined  A major point that needs to be doubly emphasized after a second reading of the text  A passage too long to be underlined  Usually more than two lines of text Vertical Lines: Rule #2 Explained

 Put a star or asterisk or other doodad to emphasize the ten or dozen most important statements or passages in the book/chapter/article. Rule #3

  The most important statements or passages in the book/chapter/article  Look for these among the statements you underlined  They are statements that make or break the argument The Star/Asterisk/Doodad: Rule #3 Explained

 Write numbers in the margin to indicate a sequence of points made by the author in developing an argument. Rule #4

  A sequence of points made by the author in developing an argument  These points are usually found at the beginning of paragraphs or sections and most often come in the form of topic sentences  Numbered points indicate both logical and chronological order Numbering Points: Rule #4 Explained

 Write numbers of other pages/paragraphs in the margin to indicate where else in the book/Chapter/Article the author makes the same points, or points relevant to or in contradiction of those here marked. Rule #5

  Points already made  Look for repetition of points using different words  Points relevant to those here marked  Identify points that support or reinforce other points  Points in contradiction to those here marked  If an author says, Joe is a good guy in one point and then implies or states explicitly that Joe is a bad guy, then that author has just contradicted himself. Referencing other Points: Rule #5 Explained

 Circle key words or phrases. Rule #6

  Key Words  Dates, names, places, people, and things on which the argument/discussion hangs  Look for typographical signals such as italics, underlining, boldface, large print, colored type, etc.  Key Phrases  Usually explain key words  Look for typographical signals such as italics, underlining, boldface, large print, colored type, etc Circling: Rule #6 Explained

 Write in the margin or at the top or bottom of the page to record questions and answers. Rule #7

  Recording Questions  Formulate a set of questions that you think the text in question is trying to answer  Recording Answers  Attempt to provide answers in your own words to the questions you have created based on your understanding of the text. Writing in Your Text: Rule #7 Explained

  Practice the rules for active reading promoted in this module in one section from a chapter in the textbook of your Quest course. To turn your answers in, you will need to either scan or photocopy the section from your book with all of your markings. Capture your responses by using a dark- colored pen/pencil – if using a copy machine or a brightly colored pen – if using a scanner. Within one week of having completed this module, turn in your response to your Quest tutor with your name, date, workshop number, Quest professor, and Quest course name at the top. After scanning the selected pages, you may your responses in pdf to your Quest tutor.  Complete the post-workshop survey at classroom/3. classroom/3  Note: Students who do not complete both the quiz and the survey will not receive credit for completing the workshop module. Quiz