A Note on Reading
Lutz, A Guide to Writing in the Arts


Often, student problems with writing are connected to reading. That is, students are neither efficient nor effective readers. They may write badly about a reading selection not simply because they are poor writers but because they have difficulty reading, or do not know how to read for the information they need. Some time spent introducing students to the special skills necessary to read the material in a new discipline is time well spent.

Writing Needs Reading

The good writer must be a good reader, and a regular reader.

From reading, students learn the conventions of writing as well as gain ideas for their own writing.

In order to be good writers, students need to be critical readers of their own writing so they can revise and rewrite.
  • The following questions can serve as a guide for students as they read more material.
  • You might then want to have students answer these questions in writing for the first few reading assignments.
  • Then, after you have read their answers in class you can determine how well they are reading the materials and whether they need any special pointers on how to read the material in your course.

Twelve Questions
  • The following guide to reading should be used to take notes while a student reads.
  • Students should realize that the questions in this guide must be answered while they are reading.
  • They cannot read the book or article and then attempt to answer the questions.
  • By answering the questions while they are reading, students will be forced to read carefully and critically, and reinforce their reading by writing their answers to the questions.

Guide to Reading

 

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