Reading and Writing about Literature Applying critical thinking skills

Reading Literature Pleasure/Entertainment (passive) Pleasure/Entertainment (passive) Enlightenment/Education (active) Enlightenment/Education (active)

Active Reading Previewing (get the general idea) Previewing (get the general idea) –1 st reading for meaning –Examine physical characteristics of structure, wording, dialogue, etc. –Consider Title for symbolism or clues –Observe general content

Active Reading Highlighting Highlighting –2 nd reading for closer analysis –Did you miss anything? –Vocabulary?? –Identify key details –Note relationships –Further thinking?

Active Reading Annotating Annotating –3 rd Reading for synthesis and evaluation –Record your reactions –Identify allusions, patterns, imagery –Complete Prewriting Strategies for Literature

Prewriting Strategies for Literature Plot Summary Plot Summary –“retell” the material in your own words using literary vocabulary This story begins with…The Protagonist is…The Antagonist is…First the protagonist….then he…afterwards the antagonist…and then…the major conflict seems to be…and the climax is when…then the story ends with…

Prewriting Strategies for Literature Plot Structure Analysis Plot Structure Analysis –Identify the narrative phases for greater understanding of minor incidences and major events  Rising Action/Falling Action Exposition Complication Complication Crisis Crisis Climax Climax Resolution ResolutionConclusion

Prewriting Strategies for Literature Scrutiny of Setting Scrutiny of Setting –Organize details and associations  Time Period: social, technological, historical  Place/Environment: geographical, physical, general to specific  Props: general objects to personal belongings  Appearance: clothing or physical attributes

Prewriting Strategies for Literature List of Characters List of Characters –Minor: who, why, traits, impact on story, knowledge gained, character labels –Major: who, why, traits, impact on story, knowledge gained, character labels Character Labels ProtagonistAntagonistFoil HeroAnti-Hero DynamicStatic

Prewriting Strategies for Literature In-Depth Character Investigation In-Depth Character Investigation –Consider impressions and search for textual references to support Character’s Name ImpressionsEvidence

Prewriting Strategies for Literature Symbol Search Symbol Search –List objects, animals, actions, or characters having own identity as well as indicating another idea or meaning ItemMeaning

Prewriting Strategies for Literature Consideration of Theme Consideration of Theme –Central controlling idea –Dominant message –Universal philosophy/observation Recurring conceptsArchetypes MotifsMetaphors IronySatire

Writing about Literature Planning Stage Planning Stage –Read selection –Complete Prewriting Activities –Determine a purpose –Analyze an audience

Writing about Literature Drafting Stage Drafting Stage –Develop ideas –Organize material –Document sources

Writing about Literature Revision Stage Revision Stage –Qualities of effective writing –Major Illiteracies –Sentence variety –Word choice –Quotation selection –Manuscript Format –Proofreading

Reasons for Writing Determine Your Purpose Determine Your Purpose –Writing to Respond –Writing to Interpret –Writing to Analyze

Reasons for Writing Writing to interpret Writing to interpret –Theme as revealed by major elements  Plot  Setting  Character  Symbolism

Reasons for Writing Writing to Analyze Writing to Analyze –Examine a single element –Compare two or more works –Compare elements of two or more works –Apply critical theory –Trace a common theme –Consider historical, social, philosophical influences

Reading and Writing about Literature = Brain Power!