- Using the “Reading Process” worksheet located in Required Resources, complete the “Before Reading” section based upon the title of the story you are about to read: “A Strange Story” — Link (Links to an external site.)
- Print the story and annotate it. As you read it, complete the “During” section of the Reading Process worksheet, and upon finishing the story, complete the “After” section of the Reading Process worksheet.
- Next, develop and submit your completed “Reading Process” worksheet and a writing sample based upon the following writing prompt:
WRITING PROMPT: In an essay of at least 300 words, describe how your understanding of “A Strange Story” changed (that is, before, during, and after completing the reading).
The Reading Process
The “Before, During, and After” Method
“Before”
What does the title suggest?
What are your expectations about the reading?
What can you predict about reading in front of you?
What are you going to be reading about?
Who is the author? Is she or he familiar to you?
“During”
Do you have questions about the work? Are there unfamiliar words or phrases?
Think about your first impressions of the work. What type (genre) of story, play or poem is it?
What does the work remind you of? Have you experienced a similar event or feeling? Does a character remind you of someone you know?
What is the point of view? What kind of images or symbols do you notice?
“After”
Reread and review.
What is it about?
What is the main point of the work?
Do you notice any universal themes?
What is the author’s purpose? Is there evidence in the work to support your conclusions?
Does this work remind you of anything else you have read?