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Reading a good essay and gaining experience

Reading can enhance the experience of the writer and help him/ her in forming specific core concepts on the topic of essay. Therefore for gaining exposure to the topic, one must read extensively on the topic and gain knowledge from it, to support your arguments in the essay sample.

Reading to extract information v/s critical reading

There are two means of reading. One is reading to extract information, and the other is to read critically to examine and analyse the various arguments and ideas presented in the essay sample. When one reads to extract information, they end up blindly to seek facts and sources to the topics without applying their mind in it. Whereas reading critically enhances the whole reading experience, by citing their individual viewpoints regarding the facts and sources presented and creating new ideas or content for the essay by infusing original thoughts and opinions of the writer on the topic. The degree of understanding is greater in the latter.

Reading sample essays can enhance knowledge and experience by employing the following techniques:

• Interpretive reading- to understand an argument and reach a conclusion
• Critical reading- Involves questioning, examining and expanding arguments
• Synoptic or syntopic reading – putting authors argument by considering synopsis of other readings or arguments in a larger context.

Therefore before reading one must practice:

• Preliminary examination

Examination of length, title, author, introduction and conclusion of the sample essay.

• Classification


• Based on subject matter, ensure that the essay provides information on a certain topic throughout the writing


• Based on the kind of the essay, classify it as argumentative, persuasive, factual, analytical, political or scientific


• Structural analysis

Here the reader must look at subtitle, outline and relations of major part of the essay on a given topic. It must state information on a specific problem. Analysis is enhanced by asking questions about the essay.

• Interpretive reading


• Reading by means of looking for important words/ keywords, oddly used words, ambiguous words etc which must be avoided.


• Paraphrasing and summary of sample essay : The essay is written in how many paragraphs and what content is written on each paragraph and what the summary of the sample essay informs the reader, must be analysed


• Location of unclear parts

There would be certain areas which you don’t understand in the sample essay. Note of it will help in acquiring knowledge about the same later.

• Discussion with peers

This can give rise to constructive and varied arguments and views.

• Critical reading

Critical reading of sample essay is knowing when to be suspicious of something and when to accept something. It is not about stubbornly enforcing a certain opinion, but rather the ability to have an open mind to ideas and develop arguments likewise.

It involves asking questions and making a note of answers, context, implication, relevant connections of the sample essay text.

• Syntopic or Synoptic reading


• It includes seeking confirmation and verifying the facts presented in sample essay.


• Seek disagreement as it gets you closer to truth by debating on the topic with peers, on authors argument in the sample essay and incorporation of it in your essay.


• A review and revision:


• Review the essay drafted to look for unanswered questions in the essay and try to solve them.


• Summarize the essay by stating the main argument in conclusion and assess the reaction to the essay written by you.

Conclusion

Thus the overall reading of the sample essay can definitely help you in gaining experience on the essay topic by performing detailed analysis of sample essay.