ELI 162
Reading Skills
by Deborah Healey
How can I read faster?
better? smarter?
(NOT like this guy!)
Keys to good reading include
- Thinking about the purpose in your reading
- The following suggestions are for "study reading," not "pleasure reading."
- Setting the stage
- Look at the title and any major headings
- Ask yourself, What is this about? What do I already know about the topic?
- This activates a 'schema' -- a framework -- for the information you will read. It takes a few minutes at the beginning of your reading, but can save you a lot of time in the long run.
- See if there are "Discussion," "Conclusion," or "Summary" sections. If so, read those first. Then, very importantly, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST READ!!!
- Reading thoughtfully
- The key to good study reading is thinking while reading. Stop after every few paragraphs and ask yourself,
- What was the main idea of what I just read?
- How does that fit with what I already know?
- Do I agree or disagree with the author?
- Take notes while you are reading.
- Underline in pencil words you don't know-- unless you are completely
lost, look them up later. If you see the same unknown word two times,
look it up.
- Highlight key dates or facts that are likely to show up on a test.
Make notes in the margin so that you can quickly see why the facts are
important.
- Reviewing after reading
- Ask yourself,
- What was the main idea of what I just read? Write down your answer.
- What were three supporting details? Write down your answers.
- How does that fit with what I already know?
- Do I agree or disagree with the author?
THINK WHILE YOU READ!!! Eye
movement is not reading!
http://www.orst.edu/~healeyd/162reading_skills.html
Last
updated 4 April 2000 by D.Healey,
Deborah.Healey@orst.edu.