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October 17, 2025, 07:55:46 am

Author Topic: Studying texts?  (Read 982 times)  Share 

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m@tty

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Studying texts?
« on: January 26, 2010, 10:05:04 pm »
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Ok, in a previous thread I shared my distaste for English. One of the reasons for this is the study of texts. Truth is, I've never really studied a text, I never tried to understand a book. How do you do it? I have written down quotes and my thoughts of certain passages and themes, but it seem useless. How will I use this later, specifically in the exam? Must I commit all of it to memory or is there an easier/better way?

I'd like to hear read your thoughts.
Thanks :)
« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 10:08:08 pm by m@tty »
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kyzoo

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Re: Studying texts?
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2010, 10:21:41 pm »
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Well I don't really know about English novels, but the one time I learned a book really well, I made sure I understood all the ideas conveyed within, and then thought a lot about how to implement these ideas into my life. That being said, it was a self-help book rather than a novel, but the same principles would apply - understand the ideas conveyed within, then contemplate how these ideas could be implemented, or how they relate to real-life situations.
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Studyinghard

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Re: Studying texts?
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2010, 10:47:49 pm »
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What I do for understanding texts is, firstly take out a nice sharp pencil :).

First, I underline any words that I dont fully understand. (Yes it takes a while). Secondly I pick out the main characters and underline anything that describes them. Like description of looks, behavior and just little things. hobbies, age, likes and dislikes.


Just keep underlining anything you find interesting. With chapters I also intend to make short precise summaries of everything that happens on a small piece of paper and attach it to the front of each chapter so I know exactly where the story is. It can also include important quotes from that chapter.
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herzy

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Re: Studying texts?
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2010, 11:02:25 pm »
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hmmm each person does it a little differently
for example, although i would always read a book with a pencil in hand, i wouldnt bother doing what Studyinghard describes, but each to their own

i would read through the book, and as kyzoo said, make sure you really understand the characters, their thoughts, feelings, motiviations, influences on other characters, etc., the plot, the motivations of the author, and the themes and ideas the author is trying to portray via the plot (via the characters).

the pencil is used to underline anything which coudl a) jog your memory for the things mentioned above b) strikes you as crucial to plot or gives insight into the character, or seems 'typical' of the character or c) portrays a certain idea which you ahve about the novel particularly well e.g. The quote '[Winston] loved Big Brother' from 1984 shows the true and terrifying extent with which the Party is able to manipulate not only and individual's actions, but also their thoughts and beliefs. This parallel's Orwell's larger message, which is a warning of the inherent potential dangers to individual freedom contained in a totalitarian society.

obviously you'd never incorporate a quote into a sentence in that way, but thats what i mean in terms of quotes you would underline.

other than that, just try to garner your own opinions and views of the book, and then try to express them in an articulate essay form :)
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ice_blockie

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Re: Studying texts?
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2010, 11:03:36 pm »
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Here's something I've written previously...

Read the text once right through without taking notes. This step, you don’t have to do, but it gives you an overview of what the book is about and you can enjoy the book for what it is. It also gives you an idea of the structure of the book so when it comes to reading and taking notes, your diary is easier to organise.

When you’re reading again to take notes, after every chapter (depending how many chapters you have and how long your book is), stop reading and start recording things down in your diary or journal.

On the left hand side pages write down factual information.

PLOT: Summarise the plot (what has happened) in a few short sentences. (The shorter the better).

CHARACTERS: Keep track of when characters appear in the text, and note down when there is a description of them or where they star prominently.

REPETITION: Images, allegories, symbols, motifs are all very important to note down, especially if they are repeated. (Look these words up in the dictionary if you don’t understand them) Similarly if the same phrase or expression is repeated note that down.

On the right hand side pages, you write down your ideas. Think about the book and what has happened.

Here are some thought provoking questions:

*What conclusions can you make after reading this section?
*Why has the author written this section in such a way?
*What is the significance of the actions of the characters?
*What are your feelings about what has happened?
*Why do the characters act like they do?
*How can they justify their actions?
*How has the setting and background influenced what has happened?

Your answers to these won’t be necessarily right, but you can always add to these or correct them later.

QUOTES: Keep a list of quotes that will be useful for exams. (You can do this separately, in another reading, and maybe write these down somewhere else) Quotes to look out for:

*Quotes that show a character’s personality.
*Quotes that describe a character’s feelings
*Quotes that describe setting, context, environment
*Quotes that provide a social comment, i.e. racial comments, sexist comments, political comments, etc.

So when you have a double page spread, on the left page, you will have a running summary of the book and on the right you will have a running commentary of the book.


So how does this tie in with text response?

Your quotes and summary of the plot will serve as PRIMARY EVIDENCE to support your ideas. For example, if an essay topic calls for a discussion about why the protagonist is greedy and selfish, you just flick through and/or remember what events and quotes relate to that.

Note that in Year 12, you will need to be continually refreshing your ideas about your text because you will finish one text and move on to the next. However the end of year exam may well suit the text you first studied in the year. Continue to add ideas and thoughts about the particular text from other people/teacher/other essays.

But the key is to practice, practice and practice some more. You'll realise that you will draw upon the same events and quotes time and time again to support your ideas. After writing a few essays, you'll naturally begin to remember these and so you won't have to force them into your mind.


m@tty

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Re: Studying texts?
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2010, 12:38:15 am »
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Thanks guys. :)
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minilunchbox

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Re: Studying texts?
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2010, 11:44:27 am »
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I'm lazy and I've only just realised that I rarely study my texts when I first read them. I take the easy way out and wait till we study it properly in class and the teacher will pretty much tell us everything we need to know and then I'll listen (and occassionally contribute) to classmates saying their ideas which can range from 'wow, this is genius/amazing/definitely going to be used in a sac' to 'why are you even talking?'.

After that I'll really start to study it on my own because there's already key things that I know I need to look out for and it just makes it easier and less time-consuming to refine ideas that already exists so it suits me.
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