ACADEMIC READING SKILLS & STRATEGIES

Reflect on your reading strategies with the help of a worksheet.

The overall aim in academic reading is to UNDERSTAND.

To achieve this, you should be able

to predict on the basis of what you already know, in other words, you should activate your prior knowledge. to locate information by using appropriate skimming and skanning and selective reading strategies and controlling your reading speed. to evaluate information: graphic and visual information discourse markers, i.e., the words which break the text up into parts and show the relation between them. text organisation inferencing ( using clues in a text along with what we already know to figure out the meaning ) interpreting, drawing conclusions checking word meanings (when necessary) to organise information taking notes synthesising

READING PURPOSES AND STRATEGIES 1. Skimming i.e. reading for a general impression Skimming the text you are about to read should give you an idea of the usefulness of the text for your purposes and also a general idea of what it is about. This information helps you to decide how well you should read it. 2. Scanning i.e. reading for specific details You may need to find answers to certain questions you have set beforehand (what, who, when). 3. Reading for main points in general The main points could include information like why the text was written, what the purpose of the writer was, how the text is organised and what the main arguments are. Eg. reading for an exam 4. Reading for selected main points You may look for information about a specific area or answers to certain questions. Your reading will probably then aim at finding that information only. Eg. reading for a thesis. 5. Critical / evaluative reading (intensive) If you read a text with a critical or evaluative attitude, you probably compare the writer's views with your own or some other writers' views. Making a difference between facts and opinions of the writer is also important. Eg. reading for a thesis or an exam. 6. Reading for pleasure (Often without having to keep the content in mind) A good reader adjusts his/her strategies automatically to suit the purpose. + more on reading tips.

FORMULA 1 for good reading comprehension if your English is not very strong but you know a lot about the topic. small vocabulary + firm background knowledge ->> accurate prediction and inferencing ->> good reading comprehension   FORMULA 2 for good reading comprehension if your English is good but the topic is new. Just read.

A NEW CHALLENGE: Academic computer literacy: critical approach to information reading and note-taking from screen synthesising on the basis of your electronic notes e-learning strategies