How to Read an Essay: Some SuggestionsPre-ReadingBefore reading, always note the title and the author of an essay. A well-chosen title may indicate such information as the general subject of an essay, the author's thesis, or the author's approach to his material; for example, Milgram's title, "A Behavioral Study of Obedience," indicates both that the general subject of his essay is obedience and that his approach to his subject is that of a behavioral psychologist. Similarly, information about an author may prepare you for his treatment of his subject and may assist you in judging the value of his ideas.The First ReadingMany readers find it helpful to read through an essay quickly for an overview before working through it more carefully. A quick reading for an overall impression helps the reader to determine the thesis, or main idea, of the essay and to put details into the proper perspective. Close reading of the first and last sentence of each paragraph during each reading will help you follow the author's organization of his material.The Systematic ReadingMany essays, particularly those which present factual information, theoretical explanations, or arguments, require a second, more systematic reading. A systematic approach to reading an essay often increases a reader's understanding of the material and his ability to remember it later on.Systematic reading requires that the reader grasp the relationships
among the ideas and facts presented in an essay. Note the pattern(s)
of organization which the author uses in developing his ideas: simple listing;
time order; cause-effect; classification; comparison-contrast; definition.
Is the overall organization inductive or deductive? Each of these
patterns provides a structure for a set of ideas and gives the reader clues
for determining the relative importance of ideas and details.
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