"As readers, our role is quite active. We pay attention to our own motivation and agenda for each reading. On one level, our motiva- tion may be as simple as wanting to do well in a class, and our agenda may involve wanting to understand as much as necessary in order to complete our assignments. In order to meet these goals, we need to go deeper, asking, “Why is my professor asking me to read this piece?” You may find clues in your course syllabus, comments your professor makes in class, or comments from your classmates. If you aren’t sure why you are being asked to read something, ask! Most professors will be more than happy to discuss in general terms what “work” they want a reading to do—for example, to introduce you to a set of debates, to provide information on a specific topic, or to challenge conventional thinking on an issue." (Rosenberg 4).
I thought that this paragraph was one of the more interesting and poignent in the reading. Often, we are given readings in school and in daily live and do not stop to question the motivations behind why we are reading. I dont believe that many students take an active role in considering the reasoning behind assigned readings, myself included.
I agree! Most of the time I feel like I have no idea why I am required to read things in my classes. I guess I don't question things often enough. I also never really thought that if I did I might actually get helpful information about the assignment in return.
ReplyDeleteGood post!
ReplyDeleteI agree that with most of what we read we often neglect to grab the true meaning from the article.
I think its definitely important to take in active role in critical reading and analysis
Clear thinking. I'd like to see more of it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am absolutely thrilled that you are keeping up a book review site. That's awesome.
ReplyDelete