Reading is a process that must be considered and executed with care and focus. Understanding of content and nuances of text are not achieved by a single reading. Texts are meant to be read multiple times, employing different strategies which are determined by the stage of reading you are in. The stages are pre-reading, reading, re-reading, and post reading. The Center provides support for each of these stages in the reading process.
During each of these stages, the issue of flexibility and rate are extremely important. The best readers are flexible and know when and how to vary their rate according to the demands of the text and the expectations of the reader. For example, a chemistry textbook should be read differently than a newspaper article.
Review these two documents for further information regarding flexibility and rate as well as suggestions for how to modify yours while reading.
Six Reading Myths
Vary Your Reading Rate
THE STAGES OF READING:
Before you read, familiarize yourself with the text.
- Survey the material to get a feel for the text and to determine ahead of time why you are reading, what you already know about the topic, and how it should be read.
- Notice the title and date of publication.
- Investigate the introduction and conclusion and any questions that follow.
- Define your expectations of the material.
- Identify assumptions, interests and knowledge about the text and author.
Before you read, ask questions about the text.
- What is your purpose for reading? What do you hope to get out of the text?
- Use the journalist’s questions (who, what, when, where, how and why) to begin a method of inquiry which will continue while you read.
- Keep all of these questions in mind and look for the answers while you read.
READING and RE-READING
While you read, maintain an active engagement with the text.
- Think about the text as you read.
- Have an internal dialogue with the author.
- Visualize what the writer is saying.
- Try to uncover the central and secondary ideas. Ask yourself, what is the writer saying? What does the author want me to know? What am I learning about? How does this relate to my own observations and experiences?
- Make connections to other theories and ideas discussed in class.
- Try to paraphrase or retell what you are reading.
- Distinguish between fact and opinion.
- Reread confusing parts; most texts benefit from a second and sometimes third reading.
- Continue asking questions as you read. Question the author and his credibility. Question yourself and your understanding of the text. Question how this new information fits into and perhaps challenges previously held beliefs and understanding.
For more information and resources about reading actively, visit: Active Reading
The importance of annotating while reading cannot be emphasized enough. The physical act of writing while reading enables the reader to immediately engage with the text more actively.
To annotate literally means to make marks. While reading, mark up the text with your thoughts. For suggestions on how to annotate and examples of annotated texts, see the links below.
Annotating a Text (How To) PDF
Sample Annotations PDF
After you read, stop and think before moving on.
- Analyze and evaluate what you have read and support your judgments with references to the text.
- Generate questions focusing on how and why things happened.
- Form connections to the content by incorporating information from class lectures, other texts, personal experiences, proven observations, and world knowledge.
- Reread and create a more thoughtful interpretation and synthesis of the author’s ideas to build, change, or revise your understanding of the material.
After you read, determine your understanding of the text.
- Are you able to summarize what you read and rehearse what you learned?
- Review your annotations and revisit the questions you created before you read. Write the answers.
- Formulate extended questions about the text.
- Rehearse what you have learned through self-talk, graphic organizers, peer discussions, and/or study groups.
- Determine what you may not understand and ask your instructor or classmates to clarify information.
- Extend your knowledge by visiting websites, locating additional sources, creating study guides, and asking new questions.