JOR 115 - Reading Notes

One of my goals for you in this course is to help you become a critical (active) reader, which means that you understand the meaning of what you have read and can formulate opinions and questions about what you have read.

For each assigned reading, I encourage you to do "Reading Notes" using the format below. You can do these at a computer, on notebook paper or on index cards. (You will be able to use your Reading Notes for open-book exams and to consult them during class discussions, so you want them to be legible and easy to transport.)

You should prepare your Reading Notes only after you have done a reading; consult the reading as necessary. (It is OK to write in your books and on handouts -- underlining selectively and writing marginal notes or questions means you are an active reader.)

Format

• Title of reading and author; date (if applicable)
  
• One sentence in your own words stating the purpose of the reading
  
• A short paragraph in your own words summarizing the content of the reading (arguments that are made, issues that are raised, conclusions reached, etc.)
  
• One question you would like to ask about the reading
  
• One unfamiliar word the author used and its dictionary definition (You need to get in the habit of looking up words you do not know.)

Note: "reading" means a book chapter, essay, article, etc.