How to Read Effectively

1
How to Read Effectively

• Online Study Skills Workshop
• The Office of Academic Enhancement
• Texas AM University at Galveston
• Developed by Kristen Lightner and Amber Homrighaus

2
To read effectively

• This online seminar is
• designed to help you
• maximize the
• effectiveness of your
• reading, and it will
• include techniques to
• help you improve the
• effectiveness of your
• reading.

3
Reading Environment

• The first step to reading effectively is creating
  an
• environment that is quiet and free from
  distractions. As
• you prepare to read or work on homework, you
  should
• Clear off your desk or work space
• Turn off electronic devices
• Determine the amount of time you will read, as
  well as the times and duration of your breaks

4
Step 1 Preview the assignment

• Before you begin reading, preview the entire
  assignment, making note of the table of contents,
  chapter heading, and sub headings.
• While youre previewing, dont forget to look at
  charts and graphs that may be included in the
  text.

5
Step 2 Reading the Assignment

• Before you begin reading, you should take a few
  minutes to review previous reading assignments or
  notes.
• Avoid very long periods of reading, and take
  frequent breaks.
• Try to picture the material as youre reading.
• Read aloud of you need to.
• Keep a dictionary nearby to improve your
  vocabulary and comprehension.
• Read the assignment two times the first time
  for an overview, and the second time more
  thoroughly, for better comprehension.

6
Highlighting in your book

• Before highlighting anything, you should read
  over the section at least once.
• Ask yourself what you want to see when youre
  reviewing, and highlight it. All of the text
  should not be highlighted.

7
Step 3 Outline the Reading

• After youve completed the reading, write a brief
  outline of the reading assignment.
• In the outline, summarize each small section of
  the reading.
• Use the chapter headings and subheadings as a
  guide for your outline.
• Set the outline up in a manner that allows you to
  easily add notes later.

8
Step 4 Question yourself

• After youve finished reading, ask yourself
  what you need from the reading assignment, and
  then form questions from headings and topic
  sentences throughout the assignment. You can use
  those questions to review later.

9
Step 5 Review

• Try to review your outline and other notes from
  the reading assignment within 24 hours of
  completing the assignment.
• After the first review, aim for a daily or weekly
  review of your materials.
• Review in your spare time, like when youre doing
  laundry or waiting to do something with friends.

10
Reading Effectively for Test Review

• If you have practiced reading effectively for
  your reading assignments, when test time comes
  you will have a good foundation and a set of
  tools (outline, highlighted textbook, etc.) that
  will help you prepare for your exams. In addition
  to using these tools, you should read over
  assignments carefully again, as part of your test
  preparations.

11
Congratulations!

• Youve just completed the online workshop
• for reading effectively. We want to continue to
  help you! Contact an advisor in the Office of
  Academic Enhancement to set up a one-to-one
  consultation. Please call [phone] to make
  an appointment.

12
References

• Barefoot, B., Gardner, J., Jewler, J. (2006).
  Step by step to college and career success,
  Second edition. Boston Thomson Wadsworth.
• Barefoot, B., Gardner, J., Jewler, J.(2007).
  Your college experience Strategies for success,
  Seventh edition. Boston Thomson Wadsworth.
• Master student Guide to academic success.
  (2005). Boston. Houghton Mifflin.
• Outline by Kristen Lightner