Post on 15-Jan-2016
Effective reading strategies for study
By Cindy Wee
Te Puna Ako Learning Centre
Objectives of this
workshop identify the reading skills you already have
and extend these
discuss techniques to improve your reading
efficiency
identify common problems experienced in the area of reading for
study
• Some reactions to reading academic texts
I feel tense when I’m feeling it’s not written for me...It’s like this is something I shouldn’t be reading. It’s like something that somebody else reads and not me. You know, like somebody else would understand this completely from start to finish and yet I don’t. I start to feel like the writing excludes me, because it’s not written in a style I would read or write every day.
Degree Student
• “Just incredibly confusing…you’d just be reading and reading and nothing, nothing would be connecting. All I can liken it to is another foreign language…”
Degree student
academic reading
• The huge amount of reading that is expected
• The complex language• Difficult/new vocabulary• Sometimes assumes the reader
has a background knowledge already
• Can be culturally specific
Reading is…
A developmental process:• structure of what you’re reading (type of
text) • how you’re reading it (the technique)• purpose of reading (looking for
information, detail, biasness)
• Think of reading as communication and thinking.
• Searching for the answers while you read will result in more active reading.
Active reading
• Ask questions for example:• What’s the author main purpose?• What point of view has the author taken? • What kind of information is he using?• What are the main ideas, concepts?• How does the author come to the
conclusion?
Reading techniques
How do you read….?
• A newspaper
• A piece of 'junk’ mail
• A set of instructions
• A novel
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We read different things in different ways.
Think about your purpose for reading.
Scanning:•Looking for key information by searching key words, phrases.
•Involves moving your eyes quickly down the page
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Skimming:•Looking for the main ideas or reading to get the ‘gist’
•Reading the title, subtitles, subheading and illustrations.
•Reading the first and last paragraphs using headings
Reading in detail: •Close reading, carefully and slowly by reading actively
•Read text several times
•Read with questions
Skipping: Too difficult? Not relevant? Reading another text first then coming back to it
Why are you reading the material?
- to learn new information
- to find information for an assignment
- to support an argument
- to get an overview of the topic
- to find particular facts or figures
- to answer particular questions
- to follow instructions
The answer to this question will help you decide which reading techniques you should use.
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Main ideas or specific details
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• Ability to read the main ideas and specific details helps you to understand the text
• Decide reading for main idea or specific details.
Steps when reading for study
Identify your purpose Why are you reading a text?
Preview the text Pay close attention to:the title, author, abstract,the introduction, the conclusion, headings, the
firstsentence of every paragraph
Think about how you will read the article:
Scanning, skimming, reading in detail
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Steps when reading for studyApproach your reading with questionsWhat am I trying to find out?What do I need to know?Exactly which parts do I need to read?
Think about what you are reading – ask questions:What is the main point?How does what I am reading relate to what I already know?Do these ideas make sense in terms of my own life experience?Do these ideas confirm or challenge my views?Do I agree with what I am reading?If not, why not?
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Read effectively
Underline, highlightUse three different colours to highlight: the main ideas, the important details and new words Make notes in the text Look up difficult words (dictionary, internet)
Refer to lecture notes Summarise out loud or in writing Consult with othersSkip things you don’t understand and return to them later
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Understanding Signal words
• signals emphasise a shift in thought, or a connection between one idea and another.
• It helps the reader to follow the train of thought or connect the main ideas, giving a pattern to the text.
Signal words to helpunderstand texts
• however• despite• in spite of• although• but • whereas
show contrast
• In addition• Similarly• Likewise• As well as • Furthermore• Moreover• Not only … but
• show similar ideas
• For instance• To illustrate• In other words• This is followed by• In that case• The reason why• As an example
To show supporting
details
Evaluating academic sources
When evaluating a reading consider the following: - currency
- scope (the range and extent the subject is dealt with / audience)
- authority- accuracy- bias
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Happy reading!