Reading Strategies
The Reading Process
Just like writing, reading is a process. And
just like writing, everyone's process is different. This handout
provides general suggestions for effective reading, but each individual
will make use of different strategies.
Prereading
Good readers skim the text before they read.
Skim the table of contents of books or section titles of chapters before
you read. If an abstract is available, read the abstract before you read
the article. Consider the "rhetorical situation" before you begin
reading (the purpose and audience).
Good readers think of the strategies they'll need for the genre
they're reading.
A dense scientific article will normally require more rereading and
annotating than an article in a popular magazine. Reading a textbook
chapter to understand terms for an exam will require a different
strategy than reading a poem to understand the nuances of the word
choices.
Good readers make quick mental "predictions" about what they expect
the author to discuss next.
Reading is like driving: if you can get a feel for where the road ahead
will take you, it's easier to drive. For example, if a paragraph begins
with a general argument, you might "predict" more specific examples
coming up to support that argument.
Good readers don't wait until the last minute to read.
It's difficult to read under pressure, just as it's difficult to write
under pressure. As part of your "prereading" strategy, plan on giving
yourself enough time to read so that you're not rushed.
Reading
Good readers are active, not passive.
Take notes as you read, either by annotating the text, using a
highlighter, or keeping a reading journal. Underline key phrases or
sentences. Consider making outlines or summaries. Keep in mind that your
annotation strategy will depend on the purpose for reading. If you're
reading a textbook chapter for a short-answer exam, you might focus on
underlining keywords and definitions. If you're reading a novel and
writing essay responses, you might jot down your responses to key
passages in the text or in a journal.
Good readers focus on the meaning of blocks of texts, not individual
words.
Sometimes beginning readers get bogged down in the meanings of
individual words, rather than looking for a larger context. By focusing
on the tone, main ideas, and arguments, rather than trying to understand
each word, good readers can get at the meanings of words in context.
Good readers think about structure as they read.
Most writing falls within a specific genre with specific structures. For
example, textbooks will often present the main idea of a paragraph in a
"topic sentence," with the rest of the paragraph offering supporting
details for the topic sentence. Novels will focus more on showing
meaning through the actions of the characters, and poems require a close
reading of individual words and phrases. The more aware you are of the
structure of what you're reading, the easier it is to recognize key
passages or sentences.
Rereading
Good readers are not "speed readers."
Faster reading is not always better reading. Good readers, like good
writers, revise. For shorter readings, don't be afraid to read the text
more than once. For longer readings, don't be afraid to reread passages
that you're having difficulty understanding. The readings you encounter
in college are usually challenging and require rereading.
Good readers collaborate.
Part of rereading could mean sharing your response to a text with
others--peers, instructors, friends--to help you understand difficult
passages. Get feedback to help improve your reading just as you would
get feedback to help improve your writing.