There Is Still Plenty of Room for Growth
I remember watching films in which the main character, in a flash of inspiration, writes a literary masterpiece or reads all the resources on a given topic in a very short time, usually overnight. I don’t know why, but throughout my early studies I thought this method was a worthy practice. I think some people call this procrastination. This rarely went well for me. Fortunately, with experience, education, and mentorship, I have almost completely abandoned this illusion. However, there is still plenty of room for growth in my reading, writing and note-taking practices.
The first practice that I would like to strengthen is reading to understand rather than to gain information. The big picture questions remain the hardest for me to answer. I find that by default, I am a collector of facts. I enjoy finding important words, sentences, and studying context, but often avoid questions that require more disciplined thought. Collecting facts may be helpful in a game of trivia, but it is quite unhelpful when a professor asks, “Elysse. What is this book about?” “What is the author’s purpose?” Many times, I have felt the room wince in discomfort as I tried to piece together some kind of unsatisfactory response.
Second, I want to progress through reading as an active participant in the conversation with the author. I like the idea of the “meeting of the minds” between author and the reader. I generally start each piece of literature with the best intention to keep my mind awake. However, if I am not careful, I can easily slip into passive reader mode. I cross my fingers in the hope that I can retain everything presented to me. It does not work. Additionally, I now recognize that remaining in passive reader mode makes it extremely difficult to “find my voice” when reviewing literature, writing essays, and taking notes. Perhaps I naively consider literature as this absolute that should not be questioned, because I am not the expert. It empowers me to know that as a reader, I can share a voice in the conversation.
Lastly, I would like to develop more effective note taking skills. I had to laugh when Adler and Van Doren wrote about readers who recite quotes without understanding their meaning. In the pages and pages of my notes are many good quotes that I would struggle to explain. I am also the person who has notes in a different notebook for each subject and each year. However, the notes are not arranged with much thought. I recently looked through a notebook with lots of interesting notes, but it lacked organization. I thought, “Wow! It would be great if they were listed in some order for easy reference.”
These are the major areas in which I wish to develop throughout my doctoral training. It will take stepping out of my comfort zone to reach these higher levels of understanding and enlightenment, but I am ready to dive into this new world of inspectional reading and Zettelkasten.
About the Author
Elysse Burns
10 responses to “There Is Still Plenty of Room for Growth”
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Elysse, good thoughts about reading to understand rather than for information. That has shifted for me significantly after reading Adler and VanDoren. I think the second and third points will help you in the endeavour of reading for understanding. How will you develop a note-taking system?
Graham, I will keep you posted on my journey in smart note-taking. I think my first step will be to familiarize myself with Obsidian. It seems like many people in our cohort are already finding this a very useful tool.
I was also intrigued to read a little on the idea of the Syntopicon. I can’t say I have ever seen one. Have you ever had any experience with this?
That would be a hard ‘no’. I’ve never seen one but I like the idea is intriguing to me. However, I would be interested in having created one at the end of this DLGP. Perhaps, that’s wishful thinking.
Elysse, I’ll watch for your answer to Graham’s question, but felt particular resonance in your “meeting of the minds” challenge, interacting actively with the author. Perhaps a summary in your own words, or taking the author to task, by pulling their ideas in your already-framed concepts will be part of this. I look forward to being on this journey with you.
Hi Elysse,
I love that you threw out these two questions: “”What is this book about?” “What is the author’s purpose?”” primarily the second question because that creates a pause for the reader to stop and think about what message the author was trying to convey beyond just tossing out information in the world.
Thanks for that — I will be using those questions as I go.
Blessings!
Dear Elysse,
The three points you hope to expound on in your journey are commendable. From my own reading experience, as you start “meeting” with the author in a more active style, you should find your understanding will also shift. I cannot speak for note-taking as that remains an area I, too, hope to improve. It is likely that with the “meeting of minds” and a deeper understanding of the readings, your note-taking and summaries will easily find a place in your personalized mein Zettelkasten!
Thanks Elysse,
I resonated with your collector of facts statement, as I am the same way, and I, too, cowered when the hard and deeper questions came. Strengethening is the key, I agree, but I am not sure how to do that, Do you have any good ideas? I will follow your lead!!
Chris, I think the best thing we can do is change the way we think when we approach literature. Rather than reading to get more information and facts, read to see the “big picture” the author is trying to convey to us (in our own words). The good news for us is that the facts do indeed constitute the “big picture.” We simply need to take our fact collection habits to the next level. I think we are on the right track, but there may be some discomfort!
We are together in this!
Great advice Elysse!! thank you!
Elysse. Love your post! As you mentioned avoiding questions that require disciplined thought my initial response was, Homerun! I feel this will be atop of my list this upcoming semester and have accepted the challenge. I also am looking forward to taking notes more effectively. It was refreshing to read about your reading experience and anticipation as we forge ahead.