Reading written texts actively

Writing practice: Reading written texts actively

You must click Submit after each text box on the page to record your work in your instructor's gradebook (if your instructor has assigned this activity). After you have clicked Submit, you may review your work (but you may not revise it) by returning to this page at any time.

Use the following guidelines for active reading to guide your reading and rereading of an assigned text.

  • Who is the author?
  • What is the author’s purpose?
  • Who is the audience?
  • What is the author’s thesis or central claim?
  • What are the strengths and limitations of the text?
  • Has the author drawn conclusions that you want to question?
  • What has the author overlooked?

Pay particular attention to details and to what surprises and interests you about the text. Also note what you observe on a second reading. As you prepare to write about the assigned text, write responses to as many of the questions as you can. Then use the space below to reflect on how the process of active reading helped you understand the text.

Question

ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
Pay particular attention to details and to what surprises and interests you about the text. Also note what you observe on a second reading. As you prepare to write about the assigned text, write responses to as many of the questions as you can. Then use the space below to reflect on how the process of active reading helped you understand the text.