Effective Reading T.C. Norris Winter 2017

Introduction

Principles Effective reading is Purposeful Systematic Consistent look for specific information Systematic follow a specific approach Consistent use the techniques every time you read Adaptable adjust the focus to accommodate the kind of material or assignment

Context General Specific applies to all kinds of reading applies to all academic reading textbooks textbook chapters research materials

Explanation

Process 1. Form reading habits Consistency (read every day for a set time) Active reading (take notes, summarize; make it concrete and personal) 2. Determine your purpose for reading (assignment); read for application, not just info 3. Preview (use one or more pre-reading activities) Evaluate context, author, etc. Determine assessment (what you are required to do with the information) Determine focus, structure, etc. (table of contents, headings, illustrations) Determine emphasis (summary and questions at the end of the chapter)

Process Interact with the text (active reading) Identify important information (based on assignment) Note text format (important things stand out – bold, underlined, centered, etc.) Identify points of confusion (ask questions & look for answers as you read) Take notes/apply information to assignment Review/discuss discoveries and confusions Interact with the author and things that influenced him/her Context of the writing (when, where, why) Author’s motives, biases, reliability (honesty)

Examples

SQ3R and SQ4R SQ3R SQ4R Survey Record important titles and subtitles Question Write "who, what, when, where, why, how" questions from main topics Read Write answers to the questions above Recite Record key facts and phrases as needed for each question, in your own words Review Create a summary paragraph for each question Survey Record important titles and subtitles Question Write "who, what, when, where, why, how" questions from main topics Read Write answers to the questions above Recite Record key facts and phrases as needed for each question, in your own words Review Create a summary paragraph for each question Rewrite/ Reflect Connect the info with what you already know about the topic. How can you use this info?

SRR and REAP SRR REAP Survey Record important titles and subtitles Read Write questions and answers about the headings above Review Create a summary paragraph for each heading Read Discover the author's ideas Encode Put the ideas in your own words (paraphrase) Annotate Add your interpretation of the author's ideas Ponder Think about whether or how the information is significant

“THIEVES” Pre-Reading Technique Reminder Description T Title – Write the title of the chapter and predict what you will learn from the chapter. H Headings – Read the headings and write them as “who, what, when, where, why, and how” questions. I Introduction – Read the first paragraph and summarize the main idea in one sentence. Record what you already know about the topic. E Every first sentence – Read the first sentence of each paragraph for key supporting ideas. Record what you already know about them. V Visuals and Vocabulary – Look at any visuals (charts, diagrams, etc.) and explain how they may help you understand the main idea. Review unfamiliar terms used in the text; define them through context clues and the dictionary. How do they help you understand the main idea? End of chapter summary and questions – Do they fulfill your learning predictions or help you answer your questions from the headings and understand the main idea? S Summary – Identify the author’s purpose and connect it to your own experiences.

pRACTICE

Textbook Chapter/Book Preview How would you start? Previewing Chapters and Books Writing Focus Support Chapter   Book Title, chapter outline or first paragraph, section headers, summary paragraph and summary questions Topic sentences, statements within the paragraphs, tables and charts Section headers, topic sentences, statements within the paragraphs, tables and charts Preface/introduction, chapter titles (table of contents)

resources

How to Read a Book (summary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4p8JkI9lV8 How to Read Your Textbooks More Efficiently https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgVjmFSx7rg 5 Active Reading Strategies for Textbook Assignments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL0pqJeE4_w Pre-reading Methods Comparison http://curriculum.leeschools.net/BB/FORPD/module_9/stratSQ4R.html THIEVES http://web.uvic.ca/~stemed/2010-ArchiveSiteContent/CD- Resources/THIEVESaPre-ReadingStrategy.pdf