TIPS FOR READING THE BEST

Know why you are reading the text - decide before you start and keep the purpose in mind as you read.

Read in different ways depending on your purpose - scan a text to get a quick overview of its content; skim reada text to find specific information; grapple with the detail to improve your understanding of the topic.

Read through a text once in order to get a general idea of its meaning and content. Then re-read it, take notes, add margin comments or highlight particular sections.

Pay attention to the structure of a text to help you to understand the writer's purpose and argument. Take notice of headings and sub-headings, of opening and closing paragraphs and of other signposts the writer has provided.

Ask questions of text and of yourself as you read.

Accept that sometimes you need to re-read in order to check your understanding, to reconsider particular points of interest or importance and to add to your notes.

If you find something difficult to understand, say the words in your head or aloud as a way of unravelling the meaning. Draw sketches or diagrams as a way of getting hold of the meaning.

Try to understand rather than just memorize what you read. This effort to understand is itself an aid to memorizing.

Good readers are critical readers. Test the writer's argument against your own previous knowledge and experience.