Active Reading The best readers read with their eyes, their hearts, and a writing utensil

Quotes “Shall I tell you what it is to know. To say you know when you know, and to say you do not when you do not, that is knowledge.” -----Confucius “I know I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.” -----Socrates

Socratic Method/Discussion Socratic Method---doubt that leads to searching for answers Method in Action---asking prepared questions that lead to follow –up questions Purpose of Method---comprehension of text under discussion Problem Process Product

Active Reading Paying close attention to what is read Read Interpretively –What author says –Way author says it –Why author says it Process –1 st reading---note responses to reading and start asking questions –2 nd reading---note new responses

Active Reading (cont.) Knowing what you want to know –Noting key words –Making connections between key parts of the reading –Comments describing personal thought or emotional reactions –Reminders

Formulating Questions (Socratic Method) 1.Whatever the reader thinks important 2.Whatever reader does not understand Vocabulary Character Motivations Story Beginning/Ending (Summary) Important quotes/statements Different scenes Author intention/tone/style

Formulating Questions (cont.) 3. Whatever the reader likes or dislikes, agrees or disagrees with 4. Whatever the reader thinks is related--- one part of the text to another –Repetitious words or phrases –Reoccurrence of similar actions –Contrasting words or actions –Organization or place of something in the text (headings, bold words, italics, etc.)

3 Types of Questions 1.Fact (neutral): What does the author say? Found in the text. 2.Interpretation (assumption): Is what the author says true? Based on prior knowledge. Lit. application 3.Evaluation (hypothesis): What does the author mean? Lit. analysis.

“The process of reading is not a half-sleep, but in the highest sense an exercise, a gymnastic struggle that the reader is to do for himself.” ---Walt Whitman