From Reading to Writing

Abstract

This chapter applies rhetorical doctrines to activities typical of the study of literature, such as note-taking, preparing for discussion, commenting on a text, and writing essays. It suggests the types of notes a student might wish to take while reading a text and at the conclusion of reading. It emphasises the importance in both class discussion and essay-writing of making arguments and backing them up with details from the text. It suggests plans for writing commentaries on set texts, where the aim is to show knowledge of the text, and unseen texts, where the skills of the student in reading are tested. It suggests procedures for composing both essays written to a set title and free essays, in examination conditions, and with a longer deadline.