Effective Reading Strategies This workshop will Explore what ‘reading’ means when using scholarly texts Examine the difference between preliminary reading and reading for ‘depth’ Offer practical ideas for managing your reading effectively Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser

Why and what your read at University Today’s Plan Why and what your read at University Preliminary reading versus reading for ‘depth’, and their corresponding reading strategies. Strategies for managing your reading effectively All in one click

Why you read at University 1.Why and what your read at University Why you read at University Putting in reading time Must read for success Reading for a purpose

1.Why and what your read at University What you read at University Books Textbooks Monographs Periodical Professional digests Research journals News sources Popular media (e.g. newspapers) Visual texts Webpages Non-official documents Policies Guidelines Design specifications Committee papers Conference proceedings Reports Official documents Acts of parliament Patents Statutes All appear on click Books could be novels, text/reference books, monographs (treatise on one specific subject) A periodical is a publication that comes out on a regular (periodic) basis: every day, every week, every month, every two months, etc. Journals and magazines are types of periodicals. A journal is a more scholarly or academic periodical that often covers specific subject areas. A magazine is a periodical that covers general subject areas and popular culture topics and are directed at a mainstream audience (e.g. Rolling Stone, Time, Cosmopolitan, etc.) and usually falls within popular media. Official and non-official documents both have reports so be careful about their provenance (credibility) Visual text such as pictures, film, etc Webpages (again be careful about credibility) It’s important to know what the audience is of the source you are reading. For instance, sources that are generated for popular purposes may have some limited place in certain assignments but doing a degree is supposed to show employers that you can apply specialised, critical thinking that is evidence-based using sources appropriate to your area of scholarship or your future profession.

Getting an Overview: books 2.Preliminary reading, and strategies Getting an Overview: books Contents page Index Introduction Chapter headings First and last chapter Summaries SKIM

Getting an Overview: journal article 2.Preliminary reading, and strategies Getting an Overview: journal article Abstract Introduction Conclusion SKIM Getting an Overview: websites No two websites the same Home page Search engine SKIM

2.Preliminary reading, and strategies More careful reading Active reading Taking notes Highlighting Pens Post-it notes Annotation tools SCAN

2. Reading for ‘depth’, and strategies Looking for detail From start to finish See between the lines: What is writer’s overall point? Why is ‘x’ relevant? What does ‘x’ add to the argument? What lessons can be learnt?

3.Strategies for managing your reading effectively Active reading Concentrate Retain Note-taking Chosen sections to read Part of your ‘job’ as a student

3.Strategies for managing your reading effectively Planning your reading Allocate time Start and finish times Pizza Principle Little and often Breaks Get your sources early Open the module handbook for this slide

3.Strategies for managing your reading effectively Tips Get into a routine Find the right environment Choose the right time Quality over quantity every time

References Burns, P. (2010) Dogs Are Not Kids. [online] Available at: http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/dogs-are-not-kids.html [Accessed 16.6.2014] Buzan, T. (2006) The Buzan Study Skills Handbook. Harlow: BBC Active Greetham, B. (2013) How to Write Better Essays. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Place, E., Kendall, M., Hiom, D., Booth, H., Ayres, P., Manuel, A., Smith, P. (2009) Internet Detective: Wise up to the Web. 3rd ed. Intute Virtual Training Suite. [online]. Available from: http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/detective/ [Accessed 1.7.2014] Student Learning Advisory Service. Effective Reading. Canterbury: University of Kent. [online] Available at: http://www.kent.ac.uk/learning/documents/academic-support/learning-resources/effectivereading.docx [Accessed 13.6.2014] Clip art: Question http://www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills/induction/

Academic Skills Advice Service Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23 What do we do? Support undergraduate students with their study skills by running clinics and workshops, having bookable appointment slots, and enabling students to drop-in for Instant Advice. Who are we? Michael and Helen specialise in Maths Support; Lucy and Russell advise students on study skills; and I (Louise) deliver the workshops When can you come for help? Everyday both face to face and on-line How do I get in touch? Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk or website www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills http://www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills/induction/

Any questions? Produced by Louise Livesey May 2014