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Book reports actually work
Apr. 27th, 2010 11:07 pmYes, I believe grade school teachers knew what they were doing when they asked us to do book reports on books we read for class. It wasn't just to prove we had read the book.
Looking back, most of the books I remember best from my childhood were the ones that we wrote reports on and talked about in class. There are many other books that I remember liking or disliking but have no memory of the plot --- only the emotional imprint remains. A few others made enough of an impression on me that I still remember much of the story despite having not written or discussed it with others.
However, for the most part, the information from the unreported books is lost. It seems in retrospect like it may have been a waste of time to read them -- hours of effort spent inserting information that simply faded away -- unless they positively impacted my personality or enhanced my map of human nature in ways I don't realize.
Most adults I know don't bother to write down, collect, or share their thoughts on books they read. I think this is a pity. I've recently started making an index card of notes on every book I read. The process of making these notes improves my retention of the book's information, and referencing the note card later helps keep the material fresh.
Looking back, most of the books I remember best from my childhood were the ones that we wrote reports on and talked about in class. There are many other books that I remember liking or disliking but have no memory of the plot --- only the emotional imprint remains. A few others made enough of an impression on me that I still remember much of the story despite having not written or discussed it with others.
However, for the most part, the information from the unreported books is lost. It seems in retrospect like it may have been a waste of time to read them -- hours of effort spent inserting information that simply faded away -- unless they positively impacted my personality or enhanced my map of human nature in ways I don't realize.
Most adults I know don't bother to write down, collect, or share their thoughts on books they read. I think this is a pity. I've recently started making an index card of notes on every book I read. The process of making these notes improves my retention of the book's information, and referencing the note card later helps keep the material fresh.
