The way you read will vary depending on what you are reading and what you need to get out of the reading! This resource provides a bank of quick and practical reading strategies that can help you build your own reading strategies toolbox.
Try out one or two of these reading strategies on your next reading assignment! Notice the strengths of the reading strategies and in what contexts they works best for you. You can always return here to try out a new reading strategy when your needs change later on!
Restate section headings as questions. For example, a section heading titled, “Youth Social Media Use” could be turned into, “How do youth in different communities use social media?
As you read and take notes, keep your question in mind. Write down information that answers the question.
In the end, you should be able to summarize the answer to your question.
You may need to revise your question if the content doesn't match up.
Slow down your reading when you encounter unfamiliar ideas or new information that seems particularly relevant to your class or research context.
Increase speed when you encounter ideas that you are familiar with or that don’t pertain to your research context or class.
You can use key phrases to identify when to change your speed. For example, if you already understand the concept, you can speed up when you see the phrase “for example.” But you might want to slow down when you see something like “Conversely” which indicates a shift or new perspective.
Designate a symbol, highlighter color, or other marker that you can use to make note of bits of text that you don’t understand or want more clarification on.
Make note of what you don’t understand… Then try to move on!
Don’t get bogged down by uncertainties—this can hinder your ability to comprehend the text as a whole.
It’s possible your question gets answered later on in the text! But if not, consider visiting your professor or TA to resolve your questions that you cannot answer using the text.