EmpoWord: A Student-Centered Anthology & Handbook for College Writers

Appendix B: Engaged Reading Strategies 464 S urvey (or S kim): Get a general idea of the text to prime your brain for new information. Look over the entire text, keeping an eye out for bolded terms, section headings, the “key” thesis or argument, and other elements that jump out at you. An efficient and effective way to skim is by looking at the first and last sentences of each paragraph. Q uestion: After a quick overview, bring yourself into curiosity mode by developing a few questions about the text. Developing questions is a good way to keep yourself engaged, and it will guide your reading as you proceed. • What do you anticipate about the ideas contained in the text? • What sort of biases or preoccupations do you think the text will reflect? R ead: Next, you should read the text closely and thoroughly, using other engaged reading strategies you’ve learned. • Annotate the text: underline/highlight important passages and make notes to yourself in the margins. • Record vocabulary words you don’t recognize. • Pause every few paragraphs to check in with yourself and make sure you’re confident about what you just read. • Take notes on a separate page as you see fit. R ecite: As you’re reading, take small breaks to talk to yourself aloud about the ideas and information you’re processing. I know this seems childish, but self-talk is actually really important and really effective. (It’s only as adolescents that we develop this aversion to talking to ourselves because it’s frowned upon socially.) If you feel uncomfortable talking to yourself, try to find a willing second party—a friend, roommate, classmate, significant other, family member, etc.— who will listen. If you have a classmate with the same reading assignment, practice this strategy collaboratively! Before reading While reading