Dr. C. NovinsRDG 101 OLA

Spring 2014

Research has found that college students do not “read for enjoyment” and while this makes sense – since they have limited time – it is not beneficial for the development of their critical reading and critical thinking skills.

Research notes that often, when students read books and short stories, they do not have good “reading” form:• They skim texts without retaining

information or rush through the reading. • They do not take adequate time to connect

what they are reading to their own lives and to the world around them.

Since we live in a blink-and-you-miss-it-world, it does makes sense that we just don’t take the time to enjoy reading.

The technology around us does make our lives easier, but it also sometimes has our brains working 24/7.

Going to school and working along with any other responsibilities, makes it tough to find downtime to sit and enjoy a book.

Take a look at the heading on this slide! Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect! PERFECT Practice Makes Perfect!

• If a student continues to rush and skim and not connect to what he/she reads then he/she will not become a better reader.

• It’s important to have good reading habits – to know what to do when you read – to know how to think and not just see the words, but delve a bit deeper into the author’s intended meaning.

Metacomprehension is a very important skill for readers.

The definition of metacomprehnsion is “thinking about thinking as you are reading and/or writing.”• It’s that voice inside of your head that says:

“Does this make sense?” “Why did the author use these specific words?” “I’m not sure how this relates to the last chapter.” “Why would he make this character do that?” “I just lost meaning – I think I need to go back and

reread that last page.”

There are many views on what exactly is THE HUMAN CONDITION.

The following few slides are based on the findings of Colin Welch (2011).

The "human condition" is an important part of our understanding of literature. Literary critics often label a piece of writing as literature - and not pulp fiction - if it tries to describe this "human condition.”

Essentially, the discussion of the human condition is any thematic concern about human nature, human society or how we live our lives. In other words, it's about the fundamental issues of human existence.

One of literature's central concerns is to comment on these issues; it might be better at it than psychology or philosophy!

If you are asked to make a theme statement about a piece of writing, the easiest way to identify a theme is to look for some challenge to the human condition. Look for common problems that any person - you included - might face sometime in his or her life.

So let's be more specific. What kind of issues connected to "human nature, human society or how we live our lives" are we talking about?

How We Live Our Lives• What is the good life?• How do parents act towards their children?• How do we deal with death?• How do we deal with alienation from those

around us?• Should we conform or be original?• How do we become adults? What is the process

of maturation?• What is the relationship between different

generations or genders?• How do we deal with excessive poverty or

wealth?

Human Nature• Are we naturally evil or good?• Are we born with inherited traits or are we a

"blank slate”?• What's more important for human beings? Law

and order or freedom?• Are we determined by our genetic structure,

environment, etc., or do we have free will ?• Are we naturally social beings or are we

individuals first?• Can we know universal truths?• Are we selfish or altruistic?

Human Society• What's the best way to live together?• Should we care for the weak and poor, or let

them fend for themselves? • What is a natural society: equality or

hierarchy?• Is civilization positive or negative?• How should society treat the environment?

It is imperative while you read that you keep these questions in mind.

As a reader, it is your task to connect to the characters and their actions.

It is necessary to “make sense” out of why certain characters act the way they do.

Think about what you read in a “worldly” manner. How does what occurs in the text fit into the world around us?

Throughout your schooling, you have encountered the “elements of texts” in almost every grade level.

If you need to be reminded of these concepts, please take a few minutes and look them up.

In this week’s assignment I will not specifically ask you questions about them, but I expect you to refer to them in your answers.

The next slide has a visual of these concepts.

For this module you will be reading Chapter 1 of George Dawson’s “Life Is So Good” (It has been scanned in for you to read)

It’s the true story of George Dawson’s life told from his own memories.

George Dawson did not learn to read or write until he was almost 100 years old.

It is an insightful and powerful book.

As you read:

• Think about the questions posed in the Human Condition section of this PowerPoint.

• Think about the different Elements of Texts in the visual in this PowerPoint.

• You may need to read the chapter twice – once to enjoy the story and a second time to pay a bit more attention to the text (human conditions/elements of texts).