As you read, look for details that relate to your own life. This will make the text more meaningful to you.
Reading Strategy Determine Importance
How to Determine What is Important to You
1. Identify the topic. Note what the author is writing about.
2. Decide on your purpose. Figure out what you want to know about the topic.
3. Focus on your purpose. Look for details that tell you what you want to know about the topic.
Strategy in Action
Here’s how one student determined what is important.
Look Into the Text
The people who built the government of the United States more than 200 years ago knew that freedom was important. They wrote … the Constitution, and it explains how the government should work. Part of the Constitution is the Bill of Rights. It lists freedoms that all Americans share.
“The writer is mostly telling about freedom in the United States.”
Detail
People who have freedom also have responsibilities. One responsibility is knowing that others have rights, too. We should not hurt others or break the law, but we are free to make choices.
“I want to know more about Americans’ freedoms.”
Detail
“Now I know more about the rights and responsibilities of freedom.”
Practice Together
Read the passage again, and make notes on any ideas that relate to your own life.