Strategies for Reading Romeo and Juliet: Class Notes

Strategies for Approaching a Difficult Text: 

1.  Know your resources: if you are struggling with a text, it's ok to consult a resource to help make meaning so that you can approach and discuss the text confidently.  However, it is NEVER ok to substitute the resource for the text.  

a. your book: the Folger edition is filled with resources: the best thing you can do is to read the scene summaries before you start reading and the glossary as you go and consult the character list if you are forgetting who is who.  Also, feel free to make an "annotated" character list of your own to keep track of descriptions and actions

b. guides: book guides can help explain the plot, have character lists and often introduce you to major themes you can track.  These can help supplement your understanding and can be used alongside of the original text.  For Romeo and Juliet, consider No Fear Shakespeare--not as a substitute, but to help make meaning as you are reading.

c. film: movies can give an overall storyline and a visual of what is happening.  Choose wisely how you approach film (before, during, after) and remember that it is an interpretation of the text.  For Romeo and Juliet, think back to the film to help you imagine the scenes and what the characters were like.

2. Apply the close-reading skills you already know!

a. read more than once!

b. read collaboratively with a partner or group

c. remember to observe and infer: look for figurative language and poetic devices

d. make a character list to track important moments and actions of characters so that if you are getting names or plot points confused you can go back and check

e. use writing as a tool for thinking--what is your response to the actions you are seeing?

This kind of reading takes initiative, time, and effort, but you'll be amazed at the kind of reader you'll become!

3.  "Monitor For Meaning": check to see if you are tracking with the text in order to decide if you are prepared for class discussion

a. REACT to the reading experience: how is it going? How are you creating meaning if you don't "get it" right away?

b. RETELL what happened in the plot: if you can, you're ready to go deeper.  If you can't, consider what resources you should consult for help

c. RESPOND to the text: once you can follow the plot, it frees you up to think about the issues and complexities...we aren't reading for the plot, but to explore! We will be doing this kind of work in class!