Effective reading strategies
Simply reading and re-reading the course material in an unfocused way will take you more time than you can afford, and it isn’t an effective way to understand and learn. Reading actively and critically can save you time in the long run. Try these:
- Read critically by asking questions of the text. Who wrote it? When? Who is the intended audience? Why do you think it was written? Is it an excerpt from a longer piece of text?
- Look for ‘signposts’ - words like ‘most importantly’, ‘in contrast’, ‘on the other hand’.
- Read actively by making notes on the text to summarise points, raise questions, challenge what you’ve read, jot down examples, and so on.
- Test yourself by reading for half an hour, putting the text away and jotting down the key points from memory. Go back to the text to fill in gaps.
- Explain what you’ve read to someone else.
- Use index cards and add points to them as you read. You can use them to cross reference parts of the course, to add examples and to keep track of course themes.
- Record yourself reading the course material or your notes and listen to them while you’re travelling or doing household chores.
Try the SQ3R technique - 5 steps to better reading
Step 1 - scan
- Look at the text quickly. Notice headings, pictures, images, key words – try to get an overall impression.
- Flick backwards and forwards through the pages.
- If there are no pictures or headings, just glance at the first sentence of each paragraph.
Step 2 - question
- Ask questions of the text: Who? What? Where? When? How? Why?
- Read any questions provided.
Step 3 - read
- Read the text in a relaxed, focused, and fairly speedy way. Don’t agonise over difficult words or ideas.
- Don’t make notes.
Step 4 – remember
- Test your memory – but don’t worry if you can’t remember much.
- Jot down some points without looking at the text.
Step 5 - review
- Read the text again, taking brief notes.
- Use your own words – look away from the text and imagine you are trying to explain it to a friend, but don’t be too informal.
More advice
Go to the BBC’s advice on reading, written by the OU’s Andy Northedge.
For registered students only - Taking notes and reading to learn Toolkit (also available in hard copy from Regional Centres).
For registered students only - Taking notes and reading to learn Toolkit (also available in hard copy from Regional Centres).