Summarize the core argument of the reading – focus first on the sequence of claims and why they’re important rather than the evidence in support of them, then respond to the argument using “Yes, and…,” “No, and here’s why not…” and “Okay, but…” stems
Write a paragraph in which you evaluate the evidence in support of the claims.
To develop your response to a piece of writing, make a John Bean What I Like/What Bother’s Me Idea Map
Do passage-based focused freewriting exercises on hard-to-understand passages or on passages that seem worth exploring more in-depth
Make a synthesis table to place multiple readings in conversation with one another
Write extended definitions of keywords – include definitions written in your own words, examples, applications, and negative definitions (how the concept differs from similar or complementary terms)
