ENG
208—Baker
Reading
Tips
Many of the works we will read this semester are from cultures
and languages quite foreign to our own and it can be difficult to maintain
one’s bearings on a first read. The study
guides are designed specifically for that purpose, to guide you through the
reading, highlighting important characters, events, themes, and structural
elements. In addition, keep the
following tips in mind:
A. Remember that literature
always exists within a narrative context. If you ever feel lost, return to the basics.
v
Chart the characters by listing names, creating family
trees, distinguishing major players from minor players, identifying
relationships between characters that may motivate the action, and taking note
of your reactions.
v
Map out places (setting) literally, using the maps
provided in your textbook and available on the course website.
v
Finally, paraphrase the plot: what happens, and why?
B. Use multicolored highlighters
or bright index cards for proper names. I find blue for male characters, pink for
female characters, and green for settings works well.
C. Take your time and pace
yourself. There is little point in
having scanned the words on the page unless you can articulate what is there, both narratively and
thematically. It may take you anywhere
from one to fifteen minutes to read a page of text. We read approximately 60 pages a week (in
summer classes, that translates to 60 pages a
day!!!!). Plan accordingly.
D. Use a book you can write in. Highlight important elements of plot or theme
as well as character and place names.
Underline words you don’t know and write brief definitions in the
margins. Scarborough Library subscribes
to the most comprehensive dictionary of the English language, the Oxford
English Dictionary (follow “Electronic Resources”). For lighter reading, Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary (and
thesaurus) can be quite useful.
E. Look up unfamiliar names and
places. An encyclopedia will
provide information about allusions—(sometimes obscure) references to
historical events, characters literary and otherwise, and alternate place
names. Scarborough Library also
subscribes to the Encyclopedia Britannica,
available on demand from any campus computer, or accessible via
the library’s “Electronic Resources” section.
Off campus, you just need your username and password. (HINT:
If you’re having difficulty getting an entry, Google the term for
alternate spellings.)
F. STOP, Drop, and Summarize. Periodically, either every few minutes or
every few pages, stop reading. Flip back
through what you have read and summarize the significant action, characters,
and themes on a sheet of notebook paper.
(You don’t have to actually drop, but standing can help to reenergize
you through improved circulation and breathing.
Kinesthetic learners may find it helpful to pace, or even pantomime as
they read.)
G. Write down questions, and ask
them in class before quizzes or discussions begin. If you feel uncomfortable doing so verbally,
please feel free to email them to me (lbaker@shepherd.edu) , or
hand them to me at the beginning of class.
You can also visit me during my office hours or by appointment. I’m happy to answer any questions you have or
to discuss the readings in more detail with any interested students. Occasionally, I can even be talked into
leading study sessions or small discussion groups.
H. Finally, tell the story to a
friend, or your dog, or to the traffic on the highway. Human beings learn through repetition and
imitation. Pretend you’re Homer, singing
to the fellows over a bonfire on the beach.
Maybe you’ll even earn a few tips of your own!