- Be in class to discuss the material!
- Record your observations and thoughts instead of summarizing. Here's how:
- Make a numbered list as you go through the reading(s).
- Whenever you want to record an idea in your notes, give the page number of the sentence you just read that prompted an idea, quote the author's exact and complete words (using quotation marks), and then write a brief, thoughtful response that shows you are thinking about what the author is saying. For instance, you might be confused, and you could explain where your confusion is. Or you might have an example in your head that seems like an exception worth discussing.
- If you write big or leave lots of white space, you'll need to fill more notebook paper.
- Be sure your notes reflect that you read all of the assigned pages--it's okay to go past the minimum length if you need to cover more. Of course, you will not necessarily make an observation about every page, but do not stop taking notes before the end or skip a significant portion of the reading.
- You should make no less than the required number of observations indicated on the calendar, but you must cover the whole assignment (if there is more than one article or chapter to read, please provide section headings in your notes).
- Put your name, date, and the reading assignment at the top of the first page.
- Turn these notes in at the beginning of class for me to evaluate.
Reading Notes
When reading notes are assigned for a reading assignment, you need to take hand-written notes that cover one full side of notebook paper. There will be some reading assignments that do not require note taking, so please check the calendar to know when notes ARE due. The notes you take are meant to demonstrate that you have read the complete assignment. When you come to class when notes for a reading assignment are due, please have a full side of standard notebook paper covered with notes that evenly address the entire assignment. To receive full credit for reading notes, you have to
