Scribd
Upload
29 views2 pages

Reading Activity

The document outlines a structured approach to critically reading a short story, emphasizing preparation before reading, active engagement during reading, and reflective analysis afterward. It includes steps such as considering the title, identifying the purpose, and assessing reading difficulty, as well as tasks to perform during and after reading to deepen understanding. The goal is to enhance comprehension and analytical skills through a systematic reading process.

Uploaded by

edicrepaldi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
29 views2 pages

Reading Activity

The document outlines a structured approach to critically reading a short story, emphasizing preparation before reading, active engagement during reading, and reflective analysis afterward. It includes steps such as considering the title, identifying the purpose, and assessing reading difficulty, as well as tasks to perform during and after reading to deepen understanding. The goal is to enhance comprehension and analytical skills through a systematic reading process.

Uploaded by

edicrepaldi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Name: Date:

How to Read
a Short Story
Below are the steps to properly prepare to read a short story critically. Make sure to
complete all tasks below before you start reading the text.

Title
Think about the title of the work. Are there any predictions you can make about what the story will be
about? Does the title raise any questions? Do you know and understand all the words in the title.
Write the title of the work on the left and your thoughts on the right. Also, if you looked up a word from
the title include the definition.

Purpose
Identify a purpose as a reader. This could be based on your thinking related to the title, what you
know about the author, or what your teacher has discussed with you prior to reading the short
story. Write your question or purpose for reading on the left and your rationale for this question or
purpose on the right.

Orientation
Before reading, look through the pages of the short story. How many pages are there? How long are
most of the paragraphs? As you skim through the work, how long do the sentences look? Does there
appear to be many words you do not know? Write your initial rating of reading difficulty on the left and
your rationale for this rating on the right (easy, comfortable, difficult).
Use the steps below during and after reading to prepare to analyze the selected short story.

During Reading
While reading a story for the first time, it’s best not to get too focused on analysis yet. Pay attention to
surface-level details to assure that you understand the events of the story before finding deeper
meaning. Consider starring, underlining, or circling elements listed below.

Identify Main Characters


Identify the plot or the situation
Pay attention to setting
Find the crucial moment
Consider the purpose for reading

After Reading
Now that you have read the work, consider the list of steps/questions on the left. Circle anything you
would like to comment on. Use the space on the right to record your thoughts about your circled
steps/questions.

Check your
understanding of the
main elements of the
story. If you still have
questions, is that by
design? What does
omitting that
information provide
the reader?

Return to the title–


does it take on a new
meaning?

Reread the first


paragraph or page of
the story--are there
details that didn’t
seem important that
now do?

Revisit your purpose


for reading. What is
revealed regarding
that question or topic?

You might also like