Strategies for Reading

Like other types of reading assignments, reading
literature in an effort to respond to it requires more
than just a quick read-through.

Reading literature for a course or for the purpose of responding to it is much different than reading the latest John Grisham novel while on vacation at the beach.

Reading with the intent of writing about the work requires multiple readings of the text.

2 During the second read, pay particular attention to words that you do
not know and look up those words in the dictionary. If a word has
multiple meanings listed, consider each of the meanings. Often writers
will use antiquated or secondary meanings of words. You may find it
helpful to write the meanings of the words in the margin of the text or
on a separate note card, so that you can easily refer to them when
reading, writing, and thinking about the work. Paying attention to
word choice is especially important when reading poetry. Because
poems are often short, every word counts, which means that poets
select their words very carefully. Often in poetry, words may have
dual meanings, each of which makes sense within the poem but offers
differing interpretations.

3 Think about the setting of the work and its culture. Is the work set in
the 20th century or another time? Is it set in the U.S. or another
country? In what region of the U.S. or world? What are customs,
traditions, and lifestyles like in that particular region? What is the
socioeconomic status of the characters-are they rich, middle class,
poor? What is the ethnicity of the characters? Considering these
issues gives valuable insight into the work's meaning and perspective.

4 During subsequent readings, methodically begin to pay attention to
how characters interact with one another, how the writer uses words to
convey meaning, how the characters speak, who is telling (or
narrating) the story, the kinds of images the writer uses, or any other
aspect of the text that seems important to you. Ask yourself along the
way what you think about each aspect and why you think that way.
Many students find it helpful to keep a reading journal, as well, when
they read through a text. In a reading journal, you can record your
thinking about the work. As you continue analyzing the text, add to
your notes.

5 Annotating the text (by underlining or circling passages and writing in
the margins) is helpful because your annotations can refer you to
particular sections of the work later. Since you will need to draw the
evidence for your interpretation from the work itself, having already
marked sections of the work will aid you in garnering your evidence
when writing the paper later.