Reading and Responding to Nonfiction: Taking Notes
Introduction:
In this next unit, you
will be practicing reading nonfiction to become experts in a particular issue,
particularly child soldiers; you will immerse yourself in this topic through a
variety of nonfiction texts (in-print and video). The general research question
we will be exploring is: What are the different perspectives on the problems
and solutions of child soldiers? What is my perspective?
Afterward, you will write
an argument essay, similar to what you did for the pre-assessment on the issue
of censorship. I will be teaching the reading and writing skills needed to
complete these tasks well. The skills and methods taught should be applied to
reading and writing nonfiction in your other classes, particularly Science and
Social Studies.
Based on your experience
reading nonfiction and completing the pre-assessment in class, answer the
following questions in your notebook:
1. In general, what are
examples of nonfiction that you read (include all media – print, video,
online, etc.? Give specific titles.
2. What are the main
differences and similarities between reading fiction and reading non-fiction?
3. What are helpful
strategies in reading nonfiction critically?
Lesson 1: Reading and
summarizing
Now
we will begin reading an article, "Armed and Underage" by Jeffrey
Bettleman. Keep in mind our overall research question: What are the
different perspectives on the problems and solutions of child soldiers? What is
my perspective?
Strategies
for the Reading Process
1st
Reading: Determining Main Idea
The
first time you read, focus on the main idea: What does the author want me to know? What is the
main idea of each paragraph and of the article overall? Who and what is the
article mainly about?
- As you read,
underline most meaningful details (names, powerful phrases/sentences,
statistics; in general, underline details you may want to refer back to
and remember).
- Write main idea of
each paragraph in the margin – be concise and specific.
- Read carefully and
thoughtfully. Look back and reread to fully comprehend the main idea.
- Determine definition
of unfamiliar words through context clues and/or by using a dictionary.
- Be objective at first; in other words, put aside your
opinions and emotions and just focus on what the article is informing you
of – what facts and information is it communicating you.
- After you have read
the article, take notes in your notebook. First, write a summary: What does the author want me to know? What is
the main idea of each section and of the article overall? Who and what is
the article mainly about? Write a brief 4-5 sentence summary of the
article. Afterward, write down 3-5 quotations that best support the
author’s main idea and that you might want to use in writing later on.
Tips
for writing summaries:
-
summarize each section in 1-2 sentences
-
use your own words; you do not need to include quotations
-
be concise; you need to condense the information
-
look back at the text and circle words you can use in your summary
-
use sentence starters such as:
- According to…
- The author
states/shows/explains/reports/informs/demonstrates…
- The author wants me to know…
- Based on…
- This article taught me…
- This article shows me…
- One example of… another example of…
Sample
Summary
Jeffrey Gettleman, the author of “Armed and
Underage”, wants the reader to know that in countries in Africa, Asia, Latin
America, and the Middle East, children under the age of 18 are forced to fight
in armies often lead by warlords who care about nothing but stealing resources
and having power. These leaders are able to manipulate children because they
are separated from their families, are hungry and impoverished, and obedient;
they will obey commands without complaining. Even though some commanders who
recruited children are now facing criminal charges and UNICEF and other groups
are trying demobilization programs, the lawlessness that is part of the reality
of child soldiers continues to spread and children continue to be exploited and
forced to kill.
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