Tues. Sept. 16, 2014: Beowulf

Today, I gave the students the abridged steps to active reading. We then began to read it. I read it out loud and modeled the active reading steps. We got through part one and two.
If you were not here, read Part One and Two yourself (Grendal Attacks the Danes; Beowulf) and highlight allusions to religion, at least one alliteration example, and one metaphor.

How to Read Actively (Abridged)

(During and a bit of After)

1.      Analyze the title (before your read). Write down in one or two words what it might mean.

2.      Count the number of paragraphs (this is a “before” activity but, oh well). Put the numbers beside them.

3.      Read the first paragraph

a.       If it is an essay

                                                              i.      Highlight the thesis (or main points)

                                                            ii.      Highlight and define unknown words, allusions, phrases (allusions are references to historical times, books plays, people, etc that the writer would expect the reader to be familiar with).

                                                          iii.      Paraphrase the paragraph (in one or two words!!!!!!!)

4.      Read and do steps for ALL paragraphs.

5.      Summarize work at the end (three sentences only!)