Tasks: How Should One Read a Book

Below, you will find an interactive task about the text 'How Should one Read a Book' by Virginia Woolf. Click on true if you believe the statement is true, false if you think the statement is false.

Work with a partner or in a group. Discuss the questions, then write your answers in a shared document.

1. What defines a good book? Write down at least three criteria.

2. What defines a bad book? Write down at least three criteria.

3. If books are assessed using the criteria you have suggested, would the assessment be subjective or objective?

Work with a partner or in a group. Discuss the questions.

1. Do you think Woolf is right when she says that when it comes to reading, we should not accept advice from anyone, just follow our own instincts?

2. Do you think all books deserve to be met with an open mind?

3. Should people who study literature be allowed to define what literature is worth reading?

4. What is the best book you have read, and what did you like about it?

5. Do you listen to advice when you choose what to read?

Pick one of the tasks and write a subjective text where you offer the reader advice. The text may be humorous. Include references to literary works. The text should be no more than 800 words. Remember to include a source list.

1. Write a text with the title 'How to Read a Book.'

2. Write a text with the title 'Books Are a Thing of the Past'.

3. Write a text with the title 'How to Write a Novel for Modern Readers'.

4. Write a text with the title 'My Favourite Book – and Why You Should Read It Today.'

Present a novel, graphic novel, poetry collection, or short story collection you have enjoyed reading.

If you are unable to think of a work you have enjoyed, pick the book that is on top of the New York Times bestseller list, and present that. You will find the list by doing an internet search for 'New York Times Bestseller List'.

What to include:

• information about the author

• when the work was published

• what the work is about

• what makes the work stand out

1. Work in groups.

2. Choose a scene from a film or TV series you like.

3. Make sure there are enough speaking parts in the scene for all the members of your group.

4. If you have chosen an English language film, translate the scene into Norwegian.
   If you have chosen a film in any other language translate the dialogue into English.

5. Practise the dialogue so that you are as much as possible in sync with the actors on the screen.
   
   Also try to speak in a way that reflects the emotions that the actors try to convey.

6. Play the film on a screen in the classroom with the sound off. Dub the dialogue as the film plays.

7. When everyone has performed their scene, vote on who did the best job, based on the following criteria:

• How well synced the dialogue was with the actors on screen.

• How well the dialogue was performed. Was the acting convincing?

• How easy the dialogue was to hear and understand for the audience.