When assigned , write about a page of notes including three WDYT (pron. "widdit") - "What do you think?" - questions for class discussion: that is, questions that begin with the phrase, "What do you think...etc.?" Building upon your Active Reading techniques, put your efforts mainly into identifying and thinking about the big forces, paradoxes, and ironies operating in events, not trivial or minor details. Ask yourself and others, "What really matters here?"
Pay particular attention to major changes that the author or authors are describing. Be careful to indicate WHAT happened, WHEN it happened, WHERE it happened, WHO was involved, and WHY or HOW it happened.
Write the text page number(s) in your notes so we can look up the passages you are referring to quickly in class and so you can find them quickly later when you need to.
You may write these notes by hand as you read, or, type them on your computer. You must bring them to class (along with the assigned text). I will not collect reading notes, but I will check to see that they have been done; and, they do count. Save them in sequential order in your notebook. You will refer to them frequently and use them for graded writings in class as well as for homework.