1. Effective Reading
T.C. Norris
Winter 2017

2. Introduction

3. 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

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

5. Explanation

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. Examples

9. 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?

10. 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

11. “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.

12. pRACTICE

13. 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)

14. resources

15. How to Read a Book (summary)
How to Read Your Textbooks More Efficiently
5 Active Reading Strategies for Textbook Assignments
Pre-reading Methods Comparison
THIEVES
Resources/THIEVESaPre-ReadingStrategy.pdf