CRITICAL READERS
Overview – Annotating during the first read
CLICK: As we read, sometimes the author’s words really click, meaning we feel like we understand
enough that we can identify several strong lines and a few burning questions, even in the first read.
The focus questions provided in class may guide you through the reading and help you find more
clicks.
CLUNK: Other times, we will be reading along, turning pages but we have lost focus & can’t
remember what we just read. This is what I call a clunk, a blank out. When we clunk, the main
questions we ask are things like “what’s going on” or “what does this word mean”? It is worth
noticing when we CLUNK and marking those sections with a quick margin note like “huh?” or “IDGI!”
In class, we can come back to the tough parts. You might also circle 1-3 vocabulary words that
CLUNK as you read.
BURNING QUESTIONS – Many questions arise when we read. Sometimes the question will be
answered quickly if we push forward with our reading and other times the answers will require us to
pause & reflect more deeply on the world. We may wonder why a writer included certain
information. We may want to digest exactly what he is trying to say in a specific line. We may want
to challenge what we think the writer is saying by asking “Yeah, but what if …” or “yeah, but if we do
that won’t there be consequences like…”. Other times we may notice that a text connects to ideas
we are learning in other classes. All of these are excellent, noteworthy types of “burning questions.”
They linger. They require us to pause and to think because they usually don’t have simple answers.
They are wonderful to bring to class discussion.
Directions:
1. On your first read, find at least 2 spots in the reading that CLICK for you, and
at least 2 that CLUNK.
2. Mark your CLICKS by underlining strong lines and by writing short, burning
questions or comments connected to a focus question.
3. Mark your CLUNKS with a note like “huh?” Feel free to use some other fun
abbreviation to express your confusion. Text-speak encouraged. 