Another good pre - reading activity is to make a list of what you already know about the historical event or period related to the book. Say the book is about the American Civil War. Write down things like the main causes, important figures, and the outcome. Then, as you read, you can compare your existing knowledge with what the author presents.
When pre - reading historical fiction, think about the language used. Historical fictions often use language that is appropriate for the time period. So, it might be a bit different from modern English. You can also look for reviews or recommendations. If other readers have mentioned that the book has a lot of historical details, you know you'll need to be prepared for that. And don't forget to consider the purpose of the author. Is it to educate about a certain period? Or is it mainly for entertainment? Understanding this can shape your expectations.
Students can start by creating a timeline of the historical period of the book. For instance, if it's about World War II, mark the major events like the start of the war, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, D - Day, etc. This gives them a clear overview before reading.
Read a brief overview of the historical period. Just a few pages from a history book or an online article can give you a good start. It'll help you understand the setting better. Also, look at the map if the story is set in a specific geographical area. You'll have a clearer picture of the places mentioned in the book.
One benefit is that it can build anticipation. By pre - reading, you start to form expectations about the plot, characters, and themes. It makes the actual reading experience more engaging as you look forward to seeing if your predictions come true.
These books usually depict the build - up to the revolution. There might be growing discontent among the people due to issues like poverty, inequality, and lack of rights. The characters may start to question the existing order, like in many books set in the colonies before the American Revolution.
One common theme is the connection to nature. Pre - Columbian cultures had a deep respect for nature, and this often shows up in the fiction as characters having a spiritual bond with the land.
One pre - reading strategy for fiction is to look at the book cover. It can give you clues about the genre, the setting, and the mood of the story. Another strategy is to read the blurb on the back cover or inside flap. This usually gives a brief summary of the plot and introduces the main characters. Also, checking the author's name can be helpful. If you've read other books by the author, you might have an idea of their writing style and themes they often explore.