One of my favorite reading strategies is annotating and making notes on important parts of the reading, making connections, and recording important quotes and points. In order to keep this all organized I use a color coding highlight and pen system. I write important points, quotes, and questions in different pen colors, and highlight important words or sentences in different colors as well. On my second read I use a completely different highlighter to mark quotes that I think will pair nicely with my argument and main points. This shows my ability too actively and critically read. My favorite way of starting the writing process is by brainstorming using charts and lists in order to get all my ideas on paper through a flow chart connecting sources main points with my own arguments points. One of my favorite revision strategies is to print out my essay and read it out loud and to myself making edits as I go, and write all my peers suggested comments on it as well. I then take this copy of my essay and begin making edits on my google docs paper and highlight each suggestion I took in to consideration or changed. After all this I usually begin to feel really confident in my essay and in my writing. I plan to use these same strategies when I need to read sources for other writing assignments such as annotating, brainstorming, and my methods for revisions. I have actually began using these methods outside of English 110 this semester such as in my Lifespan and Development class when I had to read articles and respond to them in a paper, and in order to do this I annotate and use the same revision processes I do in English 110. These skills I have learned and worked on have been proven to be very helpful l and has really helped me be successful.
