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How to be an effective reader and engage with the literature

Before we begin finding information, let's think about how we read for academic study.

Reading is a lifelong skill and we read all the time... whether its reading for fun or for specific purpose like reading furniture assembly instructions. 

When we are reading for assignments we are reading with a purpose: to help answer your assignment question. 

  • We can be selective and read only the information we need! We do not have to read the textbook from page 1 to the end of the book - only the relevant sections we need!
  • Be active... make notes to help consolidate your understanding.

Here are a few useful guides for you to take a look about effective reading to help you get the most from your reading:

Reading Critically: be active in your reading!

Here are some tips and strategies on how to get more from your reading.

Learn how to identify the purpose of your reading, the correct approach to take, and adopt new techniques such as skimming and scanning.

Strategies for Supporting Academic Reading: what do other students say!

Lets think about how to work with the information you find and then need to read.

Spend the next 4 minutes listening to these top tips from our final year students. We are all unique and learn in a variety of different ways and use different strategies for reading and working with information. 

The video allows you to consider which practice will work best for you and you may find a new approach that you want to try.

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