Methods for Effective Learning

A. To grasp main ideas of a discourse

1. Read/watch/listen attentively. TAKE NOTES.

2. Use the 6W1H (or, the reporter) approach for re-organize:

a. Who did

b. what,

c. when, where,

d. why,

e. how and

f. to what effect (results and implications). or

3. Use pentad: (actually can be understood from the reporter approach)

a. Act: What happened? What is the action? What ideas are involved? To what results and implications?

b. Scene: Where is the act happening? What is the background situation? (including when)

c. Agent: Who is involved in the act? What are their roles?

d. Agency: How do the agents act? By what means do they act?

e. Purpose: Why do the agents act? What do they want?

B. What should you write in your reading journal (a kind of informal book report)?

1. Basic information about the book, if it is a new book for that particular journal entry.

Title, author, the re-write author, publishing company, year of publishing, number of pages, vocabulary level (if marked)

2. What you read during the period of the journal entry?

Number of pages you read and a summary of the story (or part of the story). Here, what you do is paraphrasing. In principle, you should use your own words. If you find someone else’s writing suits your needs (of explaining) very well, you can quote them. But you must give credit. Otherwise, you are committing plagiarism.

3. Your thoughts on what you read. Again, here, you should use your own words. If you feel a need to borrow someone’s writing, give credit.

4. Your thoughts on your reading effectiveness

As this exercise is to cultivate and to enhance your reading ability, a reflection on how you do it with what effectiveness will be helpful. Are you having fun? Being moved? Inspired? Frustrated? Bored? Are you choosing the right book? Are you using your time well? Are you doing this totally just by yourself or doing it with some friendly support will be better?