Outcome 3 (Active Reading) – Employ techniques of active reading, critical reading, and informal reading response for inquiry, learning, and thinking.
Samples 1-2 – Annotations
Thinking critically about a text as you read is vital to crafting an argument later. I found that annotations were the easiest way to find quotes to support my arguments in my essays, and they were a helpful resource to show my initial reactions. In my annotations completed early in the semester, my thoughts were unguided and scattered. I was unsure what was required, what was necessary to comment on, and what to leave alone. The following example exhibits my sporadic comments on “The Hawk” by Brian Doyle.
“The Hawk” By Brian Doyle – Annotations Page Two
Notably, my annotations were simply directionless and lacking in significant content. I tried to connect bits of the text rather than trying to get down my reactions and thoughts. After obtaining and becoming familiar with the guide to annotations, I could extend and reflect on what the authors were saying.
“Is Empathy Overrated?” By Paul Bloom – Annotations Page Two
I mostly use the challenging annotation style since I was frustrated with Bloom’s ideas throughout his essay. It is clear that I outline what claims of his are relevant for me to refute, and I show a trend of negative thoughts of Bloom as he writes. Nonetheless, this page was constructive for my writing process because I knew I did not want my views to relate to his, as displayed here. By color-coding my annotations, where one color stands for text to self, another for understanding, and one for challenging, etcetera, I was better able to refer back to my thoughts while answering the reading responses later. The annotations illustrate how I actively engage with the text, and I found that extending the author’s ideas into my own, more often than not, became my primary claim in my essays.
Sample Three – Reading Response
Oftentimes, the reading response questions sparked ideas in my head that became an integral part of my essays. The responses caused me to think deeply about the text, frequently about something I had not previously considered. The following response, nearly verbatim, was included in my final draft of the third essay.
I go into extensive detail about a personal anecdote to support my claim of joy and sorrow coexisting. In the final version, I integrate sources into this paragraph to lengthen and support my ideas, though it is clear to see the advantage of the reading responses. They allow further questions to arise, and are a foundation for body paragraphs related to the prompt.
Word Count: 386
