1. The Role of Good Reading
From Literature: A Portable Anthology
by Gardner-Lawn-Ridl-Schakel

2. The Role of Good Reading
Reading well is about paying attention. Well written literature rewards your willingness to re-read and slow down.

3. The Role of Good Reading
Be prepared to go back and re-read key passages.

4. The Role of Good Reading
Reading ‘critically’ does not imply fault-finding, but rather thoughtful consideration of the techniques toward thematic aspects of a work.

5. The Role of Good Reading
In truth, the meanings in literary texts are not hidden, and your job as a reader is not to root around for them. Rather, if a text is not immediately accessible to you, it is because you need to read more actively, and meaning will then emerge in a collaborative effort as you work with the text to create an interpretation.

6. The Role of Good Reading
Active Reading:
Slow down
Look at key passages multiple times
Read with pen in hand and annotate.
You are looking for potential paper angles and connections between technique and theme.
Jot down questions for follow up in discussion groups or in class.

7. The Role of Good Reading
Begin with the end in mind:
All reading usually ends with you writing critically about the work. As you read and take notes remember that you will need to gather evidence to use in your paper to prove your point(s). Discussions about these aspects can help you clarify your thinking as you study the work.