MODR 1760 Models of Reasoning

Read, annotate and clarify the passage

Skim for meaning, purpose, and conclusion. = Not marked, since no way of knowing that student has completed this step. It is assumed that student has done this.

Read the passage over once from beginning to end without marking it up. = Not marked, since no way of knowing that student has completed this step. It is assumed that student has done this.

 Draw a line separating each paragraph of the article.

 Number each paragraph.

Underline, bold or circle, significant, non-trivial, signal words and logical (premise and conclusion) indicator words.

Underline or highlight the main point or topic sentence of each paragraph. Do not over highlight. Indicate only the topic sentences.

 Indicate the main or central concepts by circling, underlining, highlighting.

 Clarify the meaning of key concepts, phrases and claims.

o Highlight, circle or underline any words that you do not know the meaning of.  Look these words up in the dictionary.  Write the definition in the margin of the article or insert definition in body of the text.

o Write out any missing referent words in square brackets.

 As you read, make notes to yourself about your response to the article; for example, your thoughts, emotional reaction, questions, confusions, interesting points, and so on.