Reading actively
START WITH A CLEAR
PURPOSE –
SET SOME TARGETS
• Why am I reading this?
• What am I looking for?
• What do I hope to get
from it?
Reading actively
PREDICT WHAT YOU EXPECT TO
FIND
• What if my predictions are
wrong?
• Predictions and expectations
help engage the brain in the
reading process.
Reading actively
USE SCAFFOLDING
Link what you’re reading to
what you already know about:
• Your subject.
• Other topics.
• Your life experience.
Reading actively
CHALLENGE THE AUTHOR
There’s a person behind the text you’ve been reading
• Interrogate their
ideas.
• Challenge their
assumptions.
• Don’t be afraid of
them because they’ve
written a book!
Reading actively
ENGAGE WITH THE TEXT
Involve yourself with your
reading:
• It’s a subject you enjoy.
• React to what’s been written
about your subject.
Building up your reading stamina
• Your lecturers have been
engaging with these texts
for years.
• They have robust
scaffolding.
• With practice, you will
too.
• Eventually, new ideas will
be easier to assimilate.