Reading Commentaries are brief compositions completed outside of class that formalize ideas about reading material. Each will be submitted via an electronic form linked on the course calendar. These documents facilitate productive class discussions and help prepare individuals to complete papers and exams. Students should compose Reading Commentaries in a separate program and copy/paste them into the submission form. This allows them to be saved and prevents their loss should the form fail (students must retain copies of their Reading Commentaries).

Excellent Reading Commentaries should:

• contain ~300 words
• be submitted electronically through the appropriate form before class (with copies retained by the author)
• demonstrate mastery of the corresponding material
• offer interpretations of and questions about the corresponding material
• connect the corresponding material with previous readings and outside sources
• include relevant quotations with page numbers