6.2.1 Tips for Ultimate Novel Unit Happiness

Novel studies can be tricky. Common complaints are "There is too much to keep track of," "I'm lost," or "I forget where this event happened". Reading does not have to be torture! Consider these tips to stay focused and do well while completing your novel study:

  • Arrange a comfortable and relaxing experience.

    • If you are working at home, choose a quiet location with a comfortable chair, a quiet atmosphere, good lighting, and time to be alone with your novel.
    • If you are working in school, choose a quiet corner or tune out interrupting sounds, become as comfortable as the chairs will permit, and focus on your novel.
    • If you are working outside of school, perhaps find a coffee shop or other location such as a public library with comfortable chairs, a quiet atmosphere, and good lighting.
    • Whatever your choice, focus yourself to concentrate.

  • Observe how the novel is organized .

    • Is it in chapters? "Parts?" Both? Are sections numbered or organized by dates like a diary?
    • Establish reading goals by flagging chapters or parts with post-it notes before reading.
    • Knowing how the novel is divided into chunks is helpful when planning what to read in one sitting and when trying to organize notes or thoughts for assignments.
    • Use post-it notes, a duo-tang with loose-leaf, or a binder section specifically for chapter summaries and notes.

  • Write a small summary on a post-it note or in your notebook about what happened in sections as you finish reading each one. Restrict the summary to 3 to 5 sentences.

    • Summaries act as reminders, and they mark where to backtrack for key information when necessary. These help to keep the sequence of events straight.

  • After writing each summary, guess or predict what might happen next in the novel.

    • This helps focus thinking and understanding and/or connecting to the novel.
    • What if your predictions are wrong? What if the author throws in a twist? Predictions are a good way to interact with and connect to the novel.

  • Try to locate audio or spoken versions of the novel.

    • E-book versions have text-to-speech that allow you to hear the story as you follow in your novel. Text-to-speech apps sometimes accompany e-books.
    • Talk to your teacher for suggestions of a text-to-speech approach that might work for you!
    • If you are unable to find an audio equivalent, find a friend to read parts with, or read the novel aloud.

  • Take short breaks to make notes about the text, to relax, or to reflect and consider the content. Do not try to speed-read your novel -- you might miss much of the plot and most of the theme!

  • If you listen to music while you read, ensure it is not intrusive or distracting. Music can produce a pleasant personal quiet "environment" but not if it affects your concentration or focus.

 

Time to Read


  • By now, you should have read the following parts of your chosen novel:

    • Hate List: Part 1
    • Of Mice and Men: Chapters 1 and 2
    • Forbidden City: up to May 20th entry
    • Hole in My Life: Chapter 3

  • View the Social Networking tutorial in preparation for the next assignment.


 

A note from Simon: Don't be surprised if certain "reading music" triggers memories of the novel later in life! I read the Never-Ending Story by Michael Ende, while listening to Franz Ferdinand's first album for the whole time I was reading it. Now, the whole album reminds me of the novel and its various parts... It is strangely fitting!