The purpose of Reading Notes is to help you read actively, think critically, and connect the material to the real world. These assignments are not summaries. Instead, they are your chance to demonstrate that you have engaged with the assigned material closely and are thinking deeply about what it means.
Each Reading Note should be 300–350 words and include the following three required sections:
1. Key Quote (6 points):
· Choose one specific sentence, idea, or data point from the assigned materials. Copy it exactly (with page number or minute of the video).
· In 2–3 sentences, explain why you chose it. For example: Was it surprising? Confusing? Powerful? Did it challenge something you previously believed?
· Tip: This forces you to actually open the reading and engage with specific details.
2. Comparative Insight (7 points):
· Compare this week’s reading to either (a) a previous week’s readings, or (b) another concept from class. For module 1, skip this step.
· How does this week’s material complement or contradict previous materials in the class?
· Example: “Last week’s reading emphasized internal recruitment as a way to boost retention, but this week’s author warns that over-reliance on internal pipelines can stifle innovation.”
3. Prediction or Action Step (7 points):
· Put yourself in the shoes of an HR manager. Based on what you read, what one action step would you recommend to a company? OR, what prediction would you make about how staffing practices might evolve?
· Be specific — “improve communication” is too vague. Instead: “Implement a structured onboarding program that includes stay interviews within the first 6 months to reduce turnover.”
Formatting Requirements:
· 300–350 words, Times New Roman 12pt.
· Generic summaries or responses without page-specific references will receive reduced credit.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Tutor’s Step-by-Step Guide: Writing Strong Reading Notes
Step 1 — Understand the purpose
This is not a summary. It’s your chance to:
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Pull out one specific idea or sentence (quote).
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Connect readings across weeks.
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Think like a professional (predict or suggest an action step).
Step 2 — Structure your Reading Note (use these as section headers in your paper)
1. Key Quote (approx. 100–120 words)
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Open the assigned text/video. Highlight a line that:
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Surprises you
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Challenges your assumptions
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Raises a strong emotional or intellectual response
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Copy it word-for-word and cite the source (with page number or video timestamp).
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Explain in 2–3 sentences why this specific quote matters.
Example sentence starter:
“I chose this quote because it challenges the assumption that ___. It stood out to me since it highlights ___, which I had not previously considered.”
2. Comparative Insight (approx. 100–120 words)
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Connect this week’s material to:
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A previous reading, OR
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Another concept from lecture/class discussion.
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Explain whether they complement (support each other) or contradict (offer different views).
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Use phrases like:
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“While Author A emphasizes __, Author B points out ___.”
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“This concept builds on last week’s focus on ___ by adding ___.”
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3. Prediction or Action Step (approx. 100–120 words)
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Think like an HR manager (or professional in your field).
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Options:
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Prediction: How staffing, training, or organizational practices might evolve.
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Action Step: A specific recommendation for companies based on the week’s reading.
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Be concrete, not vague.
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Bad: “Improve onboarding.”
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Good: “Develop a mentorship program pairing new hires with experienced employees for their first 90 days.”
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Step 3 — Formatting checklist
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Word count: 300–350 words (use Word’s count feature).
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Font: Times New Roman, 12pt.
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Citations: Include author, year, and page or timestamp (APA 7th).
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Example: (Smith, 2021, p. 45).
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Reference list: Add the full reference at the end in APA 7th ed. format.
Step 4 — Common mistakes to avoid
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Don’t just summarize the entire reading.
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Don’t skip page/timestamp in your quote.
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Don’t be vague in the action step.
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Don’t forget APA style — even one missed citation can cost points.
Step 6 — Helpful Resources
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Purdue OWL APA 7th Guide: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html
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Scribbr APA Citation Generator: https://www.scribbr.com/apa-citation-generator/
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University of Toronto: Active Reading Strategies: https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/reading-and-research/active-reading/
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Harvard Writing Center: Writing a Response Paper: https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-write-response-paper
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