Throughout university, many of your modules may have long reading lists, with complex books, journal articles, academic papers, and other sources. Many of your assessments will ask you to demonstrate your wider reading. This can be challenging, but there are several techniques you can develop to help manage the volume and complexity of your reading.
The tabs of this guide will support you in effective reading. The sections are organised as follows:
Deciding what you need to read is challenging. Sometimes, your reading is mandatory for your module or assessments. When reading is mandatory, we suggest you look at our ‘Close Reading’ tab for guidance.
For some of your reading, it does not require you to read as closely. You can be strategic, and use reading techniques like scanning, skimming, and previewing. These techniques can help you to cover a wide range of sources, determine if they are relevant, and select which parts of each text require closer reading and engagement.
Previewing means you can get an idea about a text without reading the main body.
When should you use this technique?
This technique is useful for any wider reading. It can help you get an idea of the structure, the most relevant information, and which sections to focus your reading on. If you do decide to read the text more closely, previewing can help improve your understanding of the text and set a purpose for your reading.
How can I preview the text?
You can look or search for specific features and clues in the text to help understand and get an idea of the text. For example, starting with the abstract and conclusion sections of a journal article will provide information about the key findings, thus allowing you to decide whether the article is relevant for your purposes.
Fictional texts
Non-fiction
Skimming can help you identify the main points and overview of the text. Skimming is similar to previewing, but you may read more of the paragraphs in the body of the text.
When do you use skimming?
Skimming is useful when you are researching for your writing and assessing which sources, or sections of sources, are relevant and important to use. Skimming can also help to refresh your memory of a topic.
How can I skim read texts?
Look at these key features to help understand the main points.
Scanning is a technique you can use if you are locating specific and relevant information within a text.
When should you use this technique?
This technique is useful for when you are trying to find specific information. For example, you may be assessing whether a resource is relevant, or you could be looking for specific data, scholarly definitions of a key concept or theory, or an answer to a particular question.
How can I scan when I read texts?
The self-paced module Reading Effectively will support you with active reading strategies, selecting what to read, speed, and more. Select 'University of Southampton' as your institutional log-in.
Active reading involves engaging with the content to understand the meaning and evaluate the arguments. This technique includes making connections between ideas, summarising information, and asking questions. It will help you to think critically about the material.
Read with a purpose
It is helpful to set a specific question or purpose for your reading. Keep exam or essay topics in mind while reading and revising. If doing weekly pre-reading, take a look at the learning outcomes to help guide what the purpose of your reading is.
Be selective
Make connections
Plan your reading
Keep track of your reading
The SQ5R system can help develop your active reading skills. This strategy is time intensive so you will need to plan it into your schedule and start early.
Survey: Before you begin reading, start with the introduction or summary. Look through headings, any text in bold, pictures, graphs, or charts. This will give you a clearer idea of the content and structure before you start reading.
Question: Decide the purpose of your reading. You could develop a set of questions through what you understood of the survey step in this process.
Read: Break your reading into shorter segments (i.e., if you are reading a journal article, read by section; if you are reading a book, focus on the content following each subheading). Try to find the answers to the questions you developed and look at any support information, such as tables, pictures, or graphs.
Respond: Think about the material you have read and answer the questions. You could do this step while reading or after you finish. The key to this step is that you think as you read and identify what is important.
Record: Make notes of what you read. If possible, you could annotate the source. Use a notemaking method that suits your learning preferences.
Recite: Summarise the information, main points, or key arguments you have learnt in your own words. If you are not clear on this, read the section again. This may be difficult at first, but it will help with your recall of important information and your paraphrasing skills.
Review: Once you have finished reading, you could scan and review the information in your head or aloud. Discuss ideas with your peers, if possible. Identify any themes or connections between concepts. Add to or revise your notes.
Being a ‘critical reader’ does not mean you are finding fault or criticising the text. Throughout your academic study, it is a key skill to apply critical thinking to texts and sources. While critically reading, you understand how arguments are developed and evaluate their strengths or weaknesses.
To develop your critical reading skills, read our Critical Thinking guide, Criticality and Structure resources and the Evaluating Information guide.
Throughout your studies, it is likely you may read some materials that are challenging to understand.
