Here are tips for learning how to study literature more effectively:
- Always Preview Readings. The EASIEST way to do this is to read introduction in the textbook for chapters & sections.
- Use GOOD plot summaries
- Look at author biographies
- Learn a little bit about the historical context
- Learn about cultural contexts (examples: art, technology, music, what's "cool," etc.)
- Learn to use the SQ3R method
- Keep a "T" chart to map out the differences between genres (ie short stories vs novels).
- Keep a general one that explains overall features
- Start a new one for each reading to make it easy.
- Go to office hours to get help from the instructor building & correcting this chart
- Participate in class
- Take notes in the margin while you read. Mark things that
- Surprise you
- You like or agree with
- You dislike or disagree with
- You don't understand
- You have a question about
- Share one thing each class period
- Try to answer one question every class period
- Try to connect your answer to one classmate's answer every class period
- Use the Writing Center OFTEN
- Find 30 minutes to check your assignment with a tutor before it's due.
