1. Active reading

2. Active vs. passive
We (usually) prefer to be with active rather than passive people.
Why? They’re more interesting!
BORING: sitting and reading – there is no physical movement, just our eyes moving!
MORE INTERESTING: movement while reading, specifically by ANNOTATING

3. ANNOTATING Formulate questions in response to text
Analyze and interpret elements of poetry or prose
Draw conclusions and make inferences based on explicit (literal) and implicit (figurative) meaning
HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THE TEXT!!!

4. What does annotation look like?
More (and better) than highlighting!
Underlines, symbols, punctuation marks, words, phrases, etc…
See example ~

5. Why annotate:
(1) It forces you to pay attention because you are being ACTIVE
(2) You are actually “organizing” the information, so you are improving your RETENTION and COMPREHENSION

6. Alternatives: Can’t write in your book?
Keep an index card OR file folder book mark
Use scrap paper / notebook
List key words
Draw word maps
Doodle!

7. More tips:
EVEN IF YOU NEVER LOOK AT IT AGAIN, it helps retention and comprehension!
Chew on gum or a snack… get those nerve endings moving!
EAT RIGHT ~ our brains REQUIRE fats (and other things obviously) to work! I prefer peanut M&Ms before or during a major reading assignment 

8. “A PriorI” Knowledge (preview the reading)
BEFORE YOU READ:
What does the title suggest?
What do you know about this subject?
How do you feel about it?
What information is given about the author? (may suggest tone, audience, purpose information)
Read and think about the intro questions (text)!

9. Ask questions Do you agree or disagree? What may be the motives?
Is the argument valid?
What is the author trying to accomplish?
Is it effective?
Who, what, when, where, why, how?

10. Recognize patterns Compare / contrast Cause / effect
Argument (logical or emotional)

11. Share with others
Discuss!
Debate!
Give / get ideas!