‘HOW TO’ GUIDES
HOW TO READ AROUND YOUR SUBJECT
This guide helps you understand how to efficiently conduct, and get the most out of, your reading.
SELECT APPROPRIATE MATERIAL
Use the
electronic
library
Find the short presentation called Effective Search Skills in Student Resources on
ELE. This shows you exactly how to use the electronic library.
Is the author of your selected article a key name in the field? Have they been
mentioned by your lecturers/cited by other key authors?
Evaluate
sources
When was the text written? Is it up-to-date enough for the subject you are studying?
How have subsequent writers built on this text?
What kind of text is it? eg. Is it a core text-book, a peer-reviewed journal or a
government website? Could there be any bias?
Use
primary
and
secondary
sources
A primary source is a text that explains research or an event first-hand, or it is an
original text (e.g. a novel, play or legal document).
A secondary source is a text that gives an overview or interpretation of primary
sources (e.g. a text-book, a critique of a Shakespeare play or a text examining a
historical document).
It is important to read both primary and secondary sources.
GET AN OVERVIEW
Of the
topic
generally
Find an easier text that might give you more of an overview; use core text books
to give you the general outline of a subject before you try more complex journal
articles.
Begin by reading the abstract or the introduction and conclusion. These summarise
the key points.
“It’s really
hard to know
how to get
started. I
tend to use
the reference
list of a good
review article
to find the
first few”
“You don’t
need to go
overboard
with wider
reading, you
can’t know
everything.
Stick to the
main points”
Headings and sub-headings will often guide you to the main points.
Of a
specific
paper
Look for ‘topic sentences’. These are usually the first sentence of each paragraph and
contain a key point, which is then expanded in the rest of the paragraph.
Look at diagrams and graphs. These often condense the information that is in the
text.
Be aware of ‘signposting’ or ‘linking’ words. They can guide you through an author’s
argument.
IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE
Of your
reading
Are you reading to get an overview of a subject or to prepare for a particular
seminar? If you know what your purpose is, you will find it easier to choose what
to read first. What do you want to find out from the paper? Is there a particular
argument of yours that the paper supports?
Of the
paper
Is it describing research? Or is it a literature review? Is it outlining a theory? Is it
critiquing or building on another theory?
“Try and
summarise
the
importance
of an article
in one
paragraph
- that’s all
you’ll have
time to write
in the exam”
Student Engagement and Skills Hub
READING EFFECTIVELY INDESIGN.indd 1
31/07/2014 14:37:28
READ CRITICALLY AND REACT
Reflect
Be aware of your own reaction to what you are reading. How is it helpful? What are
you learning?
Evaluate
What is the strength and value of the argument – e.g what evidence is used to
support the argument? Is it reliable/valid?
Associate
How does the argument link with other articles you have read? Can you make
connections and associations between things?
Compare
Test
Compare with other arguments and stances. How do other articles differ?
Test out/check your own assumptions. What do you believe? Have you changed
your opinions? What have you learnt from this reading?
MAKE EFFECTIVE NOTES
What topics do I need to cover?
What do
I need to
take note
of?
“You just
have to keep
thinking why is this
text actually
useful?”
What questions do I need to answer?
“I tried out
using tables
and it really
helped me
to sort out
what I was
learning and
where the
gaps were”
What notes do I already have and where are the gaps?
What are the main points of the text? What is the evidence? How does this
compare to other texts? How will this fit in with your other notes/lectures?
Linear Notes - bullet points, numbered sections, short paragraphs under headings.
Flow-charts - to describe stages in a process.
Spider diagrams - to see things laid out visually on a page and make connections.
Tables - to compare ideas, theories or methods.
“Go to bed
listening to
audio notes it helps mull
things over”
Diagrams - to collate large amounts of written information into one easy view.
How can I
do it?
Highlight & annotate - engage with the key points; you should have a few dashes of
colour on important words that when read by themselves almost make grammatical
sense.
Summary cards - particularly good when revising for an exam or preparing a
presentation.
Audio notes - gives your brain a break from reading and writing.
Have you seen the
other Guides in
this series?
Conversations - Ask yourself questions, imagine you are presenting the information
to an audience, or you are being interviewed about the material.
How to…
KEEP RECORDS
To avoid
plagiarism
To save
time
Start your reference list early and add to it as you read.
Use quotation marks when you write something word for word.
Manage your time
Write essays & reports
Reference & avoid
plagiarism
Manage exams
Record the source every time you take notes, including page numbers so you can
check it easily in future.
Give presentations
File your notes carefully so you know how to find something quickly.
Make the most of lectures
Manage groupwork
For further information, please go to ELE -> ‘Student Resources’ -> ‘Undergraduate Skills’.
Student Engagement and Skills Hub
READING EFFECTIVELY INDESIGN.indd 2
31/07/2014 14:37:28