Sunday, June 14, 2015
Prompt 2-Re-reading
I do not re-read as much as I would like. While re-reading everything at least once sounds ideal, I do not make the attempt I should. I believe re-reading is a good thing, and everyone should try to read every book or any other text they come by more than once. Re-reading is a tool that can help one with confusion on the text but is not limited to just that; it can be for enjoyment, as well. Although most teenagers are against re-reading for pleasure there may be few out there who enjoy it.
By reading something more than once it allows a person to catch something that they may have not noticed the first time, giving them a better understanding of the text. Re-reading allows for a reader to think deeper than just the main idea of the story. I have always thought re-reading was important. When I do not understand something going on in the text I will re-read which is what I would advise everyone to do. Though I do not re-read whole books I may take my time to re-read a chapter, a page or a paragraph for a better understanding of the text.
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Hello Christina! I wonder if re-reading is a foreign concept for many students because you haven't yet read much of anything that requires re-reading. When we read for pleasure (which we should always have whenever we read anything, really!), sometimes these texts do not warrant careful study, they do not have LAYERS of meaning--they are about plot and character and that's about it. This is just fine, of course, but there are other kinds of texts that have those things plus more--a sort of depth and "gravitas" to them that require more of us as readers. And maybe they required more of them as writers. It is possible too, that such texts can work on several levels--a good story; but then they have more; they are like a onion.
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I completely agree, Christina. Re-reading is kind of unheard of in most teenagers’ regular reading routines because it’s so unnatural to us. We just like to read the words at face value, take them for what they’re worth, and move along. There’s no question that re-reading is helpful, and sometimes I have to reread a little if I don’t understand something at first. But completely re-reading a book cover to cover seems very strange. I think it’s because maybe the first time reading a book can be so impactful that reading it a second time through seems almost boring. Reading is so much more fun if you don’t know what to expect during the plot. While re-reading is necessary often, I feel like re-reading an entire book kills a little bit of the “magic” that a lot of readers enjoy.
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ReplyDeleteChristina, I like that you acknowledged that perhaps most students do not reread because it has not exactly been super necessary for us in the past. Most of us can take a text and have a basic understanding an appreciation for it on the first read. Rereading is going to become a necessity in the future, however. As brilliant and invincible as we see ourselves now, there will come a time when we simply have to reread. Therefore, it is important for us to create a healthy habit now, and to practice that habit, so that it may benefit us in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jensyn. I think teenagers are more about quantity instead of quality. They think that the more books they read the better, which I'm not saying not to read books because we should read as much as we can. I do believe, though, that most teenagers just read books to read them, not knowing that there is so much more they could get out of one book by simplify rereading it. I don't think teenagers value reread yet because they feel they do not need to reread. I do think eventually, as we grow older, we will value rereading more than we do right now or at least we will use the skill more often.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hannah because many teenagers’ do not enjoy the simple act of rereading a book due to the fact that we like to read a book and be done with it. For many teenagers’, the act of reading a book for the first time can be a challenge because in our generation young adults are not very keen on reading for enjoyment. However, I think rereading is more important than the first time reading a book, for the process of rereading is where students learn, enjoy, and receive the message of the book. In addition, I agree with Riley and Jensyn on the fact that rereading has not been deemed as very important in the past. I think it was not viewed as important because we read out of obligation and not to gain insight. As people age, I do think the process of rereading becomes more important in order to progress and learn more as people advance into adulthood.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I feel as though teenagers our age believe once they read something they know everything about it. Sarah's comment about young adults enjoyment of reading is correct especially in our generation. The only thing we are interested in rereading is a text, tweet, or caption. If teachers are lucky we may reread a paragraph, a paper, or an assignment to correct the grammar and organization. Rereading an entire book is completely out of the question. I agree with Hannah as well on the "magic". Why reread a book if you already know what is going to happen? I know speaking for myself I only reread when there is an assignment and I am in search of quotes, passages, or important rhetorical devices other wise I would probably never reread.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Christina. As an avid rereader I understand the importance of doing this. I often reread because I become distracted with other responsibilities and fail to understand the author’s intended purpose, theme, or the reason the author chose to use one word over another. I agree with you when saying that “by reading something more than once it allows a person to catch something.” For example, I read F. Scott’s Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby in the summer of 2012. This past year I reread it and rereading was beneficial to understanding Fitzgerald’s novel. When I first read the novel I thought Jay Gatsby had achieved the American Dream with his lavish parties and extravagant mansion. After rereading I was able to understand that this was not the case. Jay Gatsby never achieved the American Dream because he never officially reunited with Daisy Buchanan. I also agree with you that teenagers are against rereading (possibly due to hectic and busy schedules) it is important as it richens the reading process.
ReplyDeleteI think Paige hinted at the reason why rereading is not as practiced as it should be. We are simply busy. Most AP students have homework in every AP class they take. Some students take five AP courses with most of them requiring a half an hour to a full hour. Multiply that time by four or five and throw in a sport that you participate in, that leaves barley enough time to eat and sleep. Not only do we not have enough time to reread, I have no time to read what I'm interested in. I have read many books and I can only think of one or two that I would reread in my own time. As some books that have been required for school have been extremely interesting and overall simply good reads, It is not what I would read in my own time.
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