Effective Reading Strategies Instructor: Pamela Peterson

Pre-reading: Being Prepared Always pre-read an assigned text using a method that works well for you. Excellent strategies include Previewing Asking questions

Ask Questions Ask questions before, during, and after reading: Before: What do I already know about this topic? During & After: Ask who, what, why, where, when, and how questions.

Examples Experience/Context What experience have I had with ....? What have I heard about….? Important questions about content How would I describe the author’s main point(s)? What are the best examples or evidence? What types of information do the photos or graphs add ?

Example: KWL

Taking Notes &Text Coding Highlight and annotate the main ideas, key terms, unfamiliar words, and context clues. Use context clues to define unfamiliar terms. Identify confusing or unclear passages with a question mark. Take notes.

Example: Text Coding

Personalize Your Note-taking Identify a note-taking method that works best for you and use it in all of your classes.

Cornell Method of Notetaking Divide the paper into three sections.

Cornell Method Write course name, date, and topic at the top of each page. You should record this information on all of your notes.

Cornell Method The large box to the right is for writing notes. Record main ideas, key terms and definitions, examples, and other context clues that help you understand the content. Don't use complete sentences. Use abbreviations whenever possible. Develop a shorthand, such as using "&" for the word "and".

Cornell Method Review and clarify Review the notes as soon as possible. Pull out main ideas, key points, dates, and names, and record them in the left column. CONDENSE! Summarize In your own words, write a summary of the main ideas in the bottom section.

Example

Mapping Spider Map: A Highly Visual Outline The Spider Map is used to record central ideas, main ideas, supporting details, and other information, including key terms and unfamiliar vocabulary.

Example

Review: Using Your Notes Successfully Reduce – Simplify your notes to include only the most important information. Recite – Restate aloud in your own words the content of your notes Review - Review your notes often. Recapitulate –Write a summary in your own words.

For All Assignments Read the assignment carefully. Ask questions. Highlight and annotate main ideas, context clues, key terms, and clarifying information. Take notes using a method that works best for you. Always summarize. In your own words, rewrite the most important information.