Reading Strategy: Visualize

When you read, you visualize, or form pictures in your mind. These pictures help create feelings about what you are reading. The feelings are your emotional responses. Reading is more meaningful when it causes an emotional response.

Reading Strategy Visualize
    How to Identify Emotional Responses

  • 1. As you read, think of the pictures that form in your mind. Make a chart with two columns to record ideas about the pictures.

  • 2. Which words in the text bring those pictures to your mind? Write the words in the first column.

  • 3. Tell how the picture makes you feel. Write this response in the second column.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student identified emotional responses.

Look Into the Text

August 19, 17__

My dear sister,

This long voyage has been so terribly lonely. The chilling frost and snow here in the Arctic completely surround our ship.

When I read these words, I picture a cold, empty place.

Three weeks ago, a remarkable thing happened. We saw a huge, ugly creature driving a sled pulled by dogs and racing north.

In my mind, I picture a scary monster.

Emotional Response Chart
Words in TextMy Response
chilling frost and snow here in the ArcticCold weather makes me uncomfortable. I don’t like it.
huge, ugly creatureI feel scared but excited.

Practice Together

Reread the passage above and identify your emotional responses to it. Follow the steps in the How-To box.