How to Read Actively and Critically: Annotation Strategies

Active Reading Assignment: “To Err Is Wrong”

First, watch the video, “How to Read Actively and Critically: Annotation Strategies,” located in this week’s module. The questions below are based on this video. As you read “To Err Is Wrong,” answer each question in complete sentences.

1. What is your purpose for reading this text?


2. Skim the text for clues. What is the title? Do you have clues about who the author is? What do the subheads suggest?


3. What words do you not know? Find a definition or synonym for each word.


4. What passages do you find confusing?


5. What is the main idea of this text? (You may copy the thesis statement or summarize this in your own words.)


6. Summarize each section in 1-2 sentences in your own words.



7. In a paragraph, describe your response to the text. As you read, what emotions did you feel? What surprised you or made an impact on you? What did you agree with or disagree with? What were you able to connect to your own experiences?