Reading Strategies

The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh (1889)

Scholars: This year you will learn how to "read deeply." Reading deeply means you read a text not just to know and enjoy what happens in the text--"the what"; this type of reading is a "surface reading." A "deep reader" also understands "the why," the author's individual writing technique. All artists--writers, painters, sculptors, dancers, actors, musicians, etc., have their own special technique. Look at Vincent van Gogh's technique in his famous painting, for example.

Understanding "the why" is reading analytically, using your critical thinking skills by asking questions about the text as you read: main idea, purpose, supporting details, etc. 

Use the following strategy every time you read something. In this way, you will become a more analytical, "deep reader." Your reading comprehension will increase and you will become smarter as a result.

My Performance is Determined by Focussing on Very Good Techniques.

M--Main Idea; Mode of Discourse; Mood. Paraphrase the main idea of the text, then cite the sentence or sentences that support your assertion. In terms of mode of discourse, most texts can be described as mostly one mode: argumentation, for example. Authors, however, often use multiple modes of discourse within one text: description, exposition, process analysis, cause/effect, division and classification, narration, illustration, compare/contrast, etc. What is the main mode of discourse? What other modes of discourse does the author use, and where in the text (quote or cite sections--lines or paragraphs)? In what ways are the different modes of discourse effective? Explain and elaborate. Mood is the emotional atmosphere created by a piece of writing (happy, sad, serious, frightening, funny, etc.) Authors use good details to contribute to mood. Think, for example, of the scary movies that you have watched: the knock on the door at midnight, a scream heard in the distance, an ominous piece of dialogue spoken by one of the characters. Sometimes the mood of a selection changes. As you read, ask yourself about the mood of the writing and then cite evidence (quotes from the text) to support your conclusion about the mood.

P--Purpose and Point of View. State the author's purpose for writing the selection, as well as the point of view (first, second, third, omniscient, etc.) Again, textual support is required. Is the point of view effective? How would your reading of the text change if the author used another point of view?

D--Details that support the main idea. Cite details and explain how those details support the main idea. Why and how are those particular details effective?

F--Figurative Language. Cite and label examples of figurative language. Explain why each particular use of figurative language is effective.

V--Vocabulary and Voice. Write down "difficult" vocabulary words and look up definitions. If you do not find any words difficult, write down those words you think may be difficult for some students. Describe the text in terms of formal, informal, or colloquial language, as well as authorial perspective/feelings about the subject (voice). Explain how the author's use of vocabulary contributes to your understanding of the voice in the text. Cite examples of particular words and explain why a certain voice emerges as a result of those words (diction). Describe the voice of the text.

G--Genre. Determine the genre of the piece of writing. What are the characteristics of that genre? Explain how you figured out the genre (provide evidence). Why is this genre an effective way to present the author's ideas?

T--Theme; Tone. Write down the theme or themes within the text. Cite textual evidence for each theme. Tone is the author's attitude towards what he/she is writing about. Tone is similar to mood, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Is the author serious, sad, satirical, lighthearted, angry, disappointed, apologetic, humorous, etc.? Cite textual evidence.