This stage relies on recognition of linguistic elements to foster the first level of comprehension of the text. This is the fact-finding stage. It is important to keep your information well organized.

Strategy 1. Analyze First and Final Segments

El viejo celoso (263.0K)

Task 1. Analyze First Segment.

1.			Use a fact sheet (see Appendix) to analyze the first segment of the play. Record the verb tenses used, the type of vocabulary, and any other information that may be important.

Task 2. Analyze Final Segment.

2.			Use another fact sheet to analyze the final segment. Record the verb tenses used, examples of the vocabulary, and any other general information that might be important.

Task 3. Speculate.

3.			Look back at the results of Task 1. How does the first segment relate to the title of the play? What kind of tone does it set? What kind of information does it offer? Next do the same with the results of Task 2. Finally, compare the first segment to the final segment. How do they relate or not relate to each other? What kind of closure does the final segment offer, or not offer?

Strategy 2. Scan Each Segment for Information

Task 1. Highlight Stage Directions. Scan the play, segment by segment, and highlight all of the stage directions, which are written in italics.

Task 2. Skim and Scan.

4.			Using your segmented working copy of the text and blank fact sheets, work through the remaining segments of the play. First, skim for information to expand the main ideas, then scan for specific verbs that reflect the main action. Record all of your observations. Remember, each time you look at the text you will see more.

Strategy 3. Create Word Wheel for Each Character

Task 1. Create Word Wheels.

5.			Based on all of the work you have done so far, you should already have extracted the characters' names and determined a rough idea of their role in the play. Create a word wheel for each character that describes what each one is like. Make sure you can support your descriptions with textual references.

Task 2. Compare. (Optional)

6.			Compare your results from Task 1 with your study group. Clarify and/or elaborate when appropriate.

Strategy 4. Complete Star Diagram with Answers to the "Five W's"

Task 1. Scan for Information. Scan the play and mark the words or phrases that answer the following questions.

7.			Who? The teller (el dramaturgo / el actor / el narrador) and the hearer (el receptor / el espectador) of the play
8.			What? What happens to whom (la trama)
9.			Where? The historical and/or geographical context or space of the play (la exposición)
10.			When? The time frame of the play (el espacio escénico)
11.			Why? The purpose or meaning of the play (el mensaje del texto dramático)

Task 2. Create Star Diagram.

12.			Organize the answers from Task 1 on a star diagram (see Appendix). For each "point," cite the words or phrases from the text that substantiate your answer. Remember that the more observations you document, the more likely you will be to perceive patterns, redundancies, and dominant images.

Strategy 5. Identify Information Gaps

Task 1. Review. Review what you learned about the theater in the first part of this chapter so that you know what it is you need to know in order to understand and discuss this particular literary form.

Task 2. Identify Information Gaps. Make note of the information that you did not uncover during Stages II and III. The information that you do not have is just as important as the information that you do. It is fine to not know something at this point, as long as you are aware of what you do know and what you still need to know.

13.			I know:
14.			I need to know:

Task 3. Identify Vocabulary Gaps.

15.			List any vocabulary or concept that you do not understand. It is important to begin by trying to clarify confusion on your own. Try to guess at meaning based on root words, context, and prior knowledge about story formats and similar situations. Then consult the textbook, a dictionary, and/or another classmate. Finally, ask your instructor. Write down what you learn about each vocabulary item or concept.