Reading & test-taking Strategies: Fractions
First, Read the questions. Highlight any specific terms in the questions like mood, conflict, imagery, simile and make sure you know what they mean. Highlight any words you don’t know and look them up. Put their definitions in as a note. Look for text-specific questions. If question one refers to line 8 of a poem, go to line 8, highlight it, and in your note, type out question one. If question two refers to paragraph 7, go to paragraph 7 and do the same thing.
Now, begin reading the passage.
A Complete Thought
Section off the reading into lines, stanzas, sentences, paragraphs... complete thoughts and briefly summarize each. By paraphrasing each section, explaining them in your own words, it will ensure that you understand what you’re reading. Don’t forget to look for the notes you took regarding the questions.
Identify the Obvious
Poetry and prose contain a variety of literary devices. As you read, identify the obvious, tangible literary elements: characters, setting, conflict, turning point; alliteration, rhythm, rhyme similes, personification, rhyme, and all the others. Be sure to highlight and add notes as you find them.
Nuances
Searching for deeper meanings / interpreting.
You now interpret the literary elements you identified in the previous step: what was the author’s intention, how do they impact the tone, overall effect, message, and purpose. How do the literary devices help convey the meaning of the passage? Why did he use the particular elements he did?
Summary statement
What was the author’s purpose? What was the message or theme of the piece? What techniques/ literary elements did the author use to communicate it?