[ COMM1010 ] Reading Strategies

Surveying

This is a quick process that is done before you actually start to read

Skimming

• gives quick bird’s-eye view of the material

• tells you what general information is in a section (like snorkeling to see what’s around you)

Scanning

locates specific facts (more like pearl-diving)

Skimming

[ SKIMMING OR SCANNING ]

Previewing (reading before you read)

Skimming

[ SKIMMING OR SCANNING ]

Reviewing (reading after you read)

Skimming

[ SKIMMING OR SCANNING ]

Identifying the main idea from a long selection of text

Skimming

[ SKIMMING OR SCANNING ]

Looking for source material for a research paper

Scanning

[ SKIMMING OR SCANNING ]

Studying for fact-heavy topics

Scanning

[ SKIMMING OR SCANNING ]

Finding particular facts in research

Scanning

[ SKIMMING OR SCANNING ]

Answering questions (e.g. on a test)

SQ3R

A systematic approach to reading and studying that can improve comprehension and retention.

Note-taking

This should be used with SQ3R to understand and remember what you read.

Surveying

• This means looking at the text before you read it.

• This gives you the overall picture of what you are going to read before you study it in detail. Basically skimming the format of the text.

• Should only take 1-2 minutes.

Questioning

This means thinking about the topic and asking questions before you read.

Reading

• This is what you should spend the most time on.

• You should always read at least TWICE.

First Read

1. Identify the general message of the reading

2. Look for answers to your questions

3. Examine the authors’ reasoning – do they explain their ideas

Second Read

1. Read each section (or paragraph) individually

2. Look for examples or illustrations

3. Look for important details

4. Take notes on the main ideas and any examples that help you understand these ideas

Recite

This means trying to remember ideas from the text after you have read it.

Review

This is a step you should do regularly after you have read a text.