Geek Out
March 11, 2024

Practical Approach to Deep Reading: Marking a Text

Explore the systematic approach of Marking a Text to empower students in engaging meaningfully with any text, enhancing comprehension, critical thinking, and academic conversations.

Welcome to Marking a Text--an invaluable tool for enhancing students' reading comprehension.

Marking a Text isn't just a strategy—it's a systematic approach designed to empower students to engage meaningfully with any text they encounter. Whether they're grappling with arguments, analyzing information, or immersing themselves in narratives, this method offers a structured framework for unlocking deeper layers of meaning.

At its core, Marking a Text revolves around the strategic use of prompts. These prompts act as guiding principles, directing students' attention to key aspects of the text and shaping their reading process. Even if students don't directly respond to the prompt, it serves as a focal point, prompting them to consider relevant information as it pertains to the lesson objectives or standards.

Here is a summary of the Marking a Text process:

  1. Select a text.
  2. Create a prompt.
  3. Ask students to analyze the prompt and create a marking key at the top of their text.
  4. Ask students to number their paragraphs.
  5. Have students use the marking key to guide and focus their close reading.

The first step is to assign a prompt and ask students to analyze it. The second step is to teach students how to translate the prompt into a marking key so students understand what to think about while reading. This step not only enhances comprehension but also cultivates critical thinking skills as students discern the significance of information in relation to the prompt. The marking key is added to the top of the text the students are reading.

The next step asks students to identify and number paragraphs—a strategic move that facilitates easy reference and navigation within the text. By assigning numbers to paragraphs, students can quickly locate specific sections for deeper analysis and discussion.

Three Main Marks

There are three main marking symbols—circles, underlines, and brackets. These symbols serve as visual cues, pinpointing pertinent information within the text. What gets circled, underlined, or bracketed depends on the nature of the prompt, guiding students to focus on key elements such as evidence, main ideas, or literary devices.

Marking a Text as a Prerequisite Skill to Text-Dependent Analysis

Marking a Text is an essential skill when teaching students how to effectively respond to text-dependent writing tasks. By employing Marking a Text, students are equipped with a thorough understanding of the text's nuances and complexities, laying the groundwork for effective written responses. Whether it's crafting analytical essays or synthesizing information across multiple texts, this strategy provides a solid foundation for engaging with text-dependent writing tasks.

Effortlessly Engage Students in Academic Conversations

Moreover, Marking a Text encourages collaboration and dialogue among students. Through discussions about their markings, students deepen their understanding, refine their analytical skills, and learn from their peers' perspectives. This collaborative approach not only enhances comprehension but also fosters a supportive learning environment.

Resources

Marking a Text offers a practical and effective means of enhancing students' reading comprehension and analytical skills. By incorporating this strategy into classroom instruction, educators can address College and Career Readiness standards R1, R3, and R8 with precision and efficacy.

The following resources can be found at LiteracyTA.com--a schoolwide, cross-content literacy curriculum powered by Literacy Geeks!

Jonathan LeMaster