6 After You Read

Finished reading, then what?

Once you finish reading, there are several active reading strategies you can use to check your comprehension, remember what you read, and prepare for classwork related to the reading. Readers do not need to always do all of these activities; instead, they should consider the purpose for reading and decide which of these will be most useful. In college, instructors will often assign “after reading” tasks as part of learning.

Reviewing: A great place to start is with looking back over annotation or any notetaking that you did. Reviewing your notes can help remind you of key information. You can also check that your notes are clear and will be useful for you moving forward. If not, you may want to take some additional notes or re-read parts of the text.  Besides looking at any notes, check your answers to the study questions.

Questions to consider while reviewing:

• Do your annotations or notes seem clear and helpful?
• Do your annotations or notes capture the key information from the text?
• Were there any study questions that you didn’t find the answers to?
• Is there any part of the text that you still have questions about?

Summarizing: Summarizing involves condensing the thesis and main ideas of a text into a brief overview. By condensing the text, it helps readers focus on the key information. In order to summarize, a reader will need to have an understanding of the text, so this strategy helps to check comprehension. Additionally, summaries provide a quick reference for review, making it easier to revisit and review the materials.

Questions to consider while summarizing:

• What is the thesis (or overall point) of the text in one or two sentences?
• What are all the main ideas that the author(s) used to support their thesis?

Responding: After reading, a reader might think about what they understood, feel certain emotions, or have opinions about what they read. This step includes putting together all the information you learned, deciding if the text is trustworthy and useful, and thinking about how you personally react to it.

Questions to consider while responding:

• What do I think about what I just read?
• How do I feel after reading the text?
• How does this text relate to my own experiences or beliefs?
• Do I trust the text? Why/why not?

Exploring: Readers may engage in further exploration of the text, seeking additional information, researching related topics, or discussing the text with others. This stage extends the reading experience and encourages deeper understanding and critical thinking.

Questions to consider while exploring:

• What do I want to learn more about?
• What future questions or areas of research does this text inspire?
• What other sources or perspectives should I explore to get a more complete understanding of the topic?
• What are my classmates’ ideas on the text?

Reflecting: Readers may reflect on their reading experience, considering what they have learned, how their understanding has evolved, and what insights or questions have emerged. Reflection can help consolidate learning and inform future reading experiences.

Questions to consider while reflecting:

• What actions or changes might I consider after reading this text?
• How has this text influenced my thoughts or feelings on the subject?
• What new insights or perspectives have I gained from this text?
• How might I apply this information to my classes or life outside of school?

Applying: Applying the text involves using the knowledge and insights gained from a reading to enhance understanding and engage with the material in meaningful ways. This strategy helps students connect the content to real-life situations, other academic work, and personal growth. Often in college, instructors will assign tasks that require students to apply their reading, such as class discussions, writing projects, or speeches.

Questions to consider while applying:

• What are the broader social, cultural, or historical implications of the text?
• How does this text relate to current events or issues?
• How might different audiences interpret the text differently?
• What is the potential impact of this text on its field or genre?

Reading as a Circular Process: Throughout the reading process, readers may cycle back and forth between stages as they encounter new information, revisit previous sections, or refine their understanding. The reading process is dynamic and iterative, shaped by the interaction between readers and texts, as well as readers’ individual backgrounds, purposes, and goals.