Writing to Understand Reading
As you may have experienced already, writing about what you read may help you understand it better. At UNC-Chapel Hill, you're not always expected to write about what you read; however, you may find writing a helpful way to develop ideas. Writing encourages reflection, forces comparison, stimulates argument, and enriches conclusions. Think about writing as a way to explore ideas and challenge assumptions. It's a good way to prepare for class and begin to engage with the reading you will do. Here are some ideas to get you ready for your first discussion at Carolina. Read the book and, before your discussion session on August 25th, try one or more of these techniques to develop your ideas.
Free write or list
Set a timer and write about what you read for ten minutes without stopping. Just keep typing, even if you are stuck. Don't worry about spelling or grammar. Or set a timer for ten minutes and list everything you can think of that relates to a topic or question you'd like to explore.
What? So what? Now what?
Pick "what" you'd like to think about, from the book, and write about it for a few minutes. Read what you have written and ask "So what?" Write for a few more minutes. Then ask yourself, "Now what?" to explore where you might go next with an idea.
Write an editorial for The Daily Tar Heel (Carolina's daily campus newspaper)
Offer your opinion on the author's argument and why or how it matters.
Answer one of the discussion questions
Find someone who wants to talk about the book. Write an answer to one of the discussion questions. Exchange your drafts over coffee or by email. Give one another feedback and then rewrite your thoughts.
React and review
Record your personal reaction to the book or something in it. Wait a couple of days. Read what you've written and write again to see what you can add.
Write your own discussion questions
Develop a list of your own discussion questions for the book. What intrigues you? What connections do you see? What issues seem important to pursue in the reading? Write three or four questions and bring them with you to your discussion meeting.
For more on processing your thoughts with writing or expressing your ideas clearly, check out the resources at UNC-Chapel Hill's Writing Center. Stop by Phillips Annex in person or visit online at http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb.
For more information about the Carolina Summer Reading Program, send email to read@unc.edu.
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Last revised: May 28, 2003.