Reading

While many of the Reading Strategies you learned and implemented in Unit 1 will be helpful in reading your novel, we don't expect you to read your novel more than once. Therefore, tracking important information while you read so you can find it easily will help you when you complete assignments. This strategy will help you read closely and save you time as you progress through the assignments in Unit 3. Your reading of the novel will be contingent upon being an active reader and talking to the text.

Planning your time and creating a schedule for reading will help you to finish your reading by the end of this module in preparation for the novel study in Unit 3.  It's important to have a purpose before you begin reading, especially when it comes to longer texts, like novels. The main purpose of reading the novel is to explore how setting, character, symbols and irony, and theme are connected. A secondary purpose is to show your understanding of these elements and how they relate to your chosen novel,  as well as in connection with short stories.

By the beginning of the Unit 3, you should almost be finished reading one of the novels. For a list and descriptions, please click here.

Time to Read


Step 1: Read and make notes on “Reading for Appreciation and Enjoyment” on pp. 118-126 in Reading and Writing for Success.


Step 2: Review the Annotated Reading tutorial and the Stickynote tutorial. Here , you will receive special instructions about how to colour code your reading with sticky notes. It will save you time as you progress through assignments later in the unit. If you are unsure how to annotate while you read, be sure to ask for help.


Step 3: Set clear goals for reading. How far are you going to read each day? This will help keep you on track so you won't fall behind.


Step 4: Begin reading your chosen novel. At the end of each chapter or reading session, update your notes. Make notations, summaries, comments, and questions as you read through the novel in relation to the setting, character(s) transformations, symbols and irony, and theme(s).


You may find it challenging to know what is important when making your notations. You might ask yourself, How do I know this event is important? If you are struggling with making notations, focus instead on making chapter summaries as these summaries will help you in knowing the important details that you can look for in upcoming chapters as well as help you review the novel more quickly when working on the assignments.

  • If you struggle with reading, try the illustrating each chapter summary with an image that was significant from the chapter. Include a sentence that explains the significance of the image.
  • Many novels can be purchased as audio books or borrowed from your local library. Listening to an audio book as you read the printed version can be very helpful. Be sure to use the unabridged version, if possible, because it is usually closer to the print version of the novel.