Critical and college reading and writing are are probably my #1 struggles in English as well as many other students. I wish I had better skills to learn how to analyze and assess the information. You won't get very far in college if you do not have these skills... So how do you do it?
READING:
"If reading is to accomplish anything more than passing time, it must be active."
Chapter one teaches us that to be an active reader we need to approach our reading with a reflective and questions in mind. We need to preview the material we are about to read. It is imperative to have a reading journal while reading. Crazy right? Jot down thoughts. Circle words you don't understand. Highlight important phrases. Avoid marking large sections. Make the reading personal to you.
WRITING:
It doesn't matter what you are writing.. an essay, a text message, an email whatever it is... you need to consider the audience and who will be reading the writing. If you were going to write to three year olds there would most likely be pictures and small word phrases; when writing to a college professor there would be a certain format to follow and it would most likely be in MLA with multiple pages of educational information spouted out. In order to be a successful writer you HAVE to know your audience. Have a PURPOSE. As stated in Patterns for a Purpose you must entertain your reader, express your feelings, inform the reader, and persuade the reader.
Marvelous!
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