OWL - Online Writing Lab: Reading

Tips for reading smarter and faster.

• Before you begin, skim the text to get an idea of the content. How is it structured? Are there headings and subheadings? Any bold print? Read the first and last paragraphs of the assigned reading. If you do this, you will begin your reading with some knowledge and thus will understand the material better.
  
  
• On the first full reading, highlight passages that you believe are important. Write notes in the margins. Physically interact with the text. The notes that you write in the margins are excellent sources for questions to ask in class and for paper topics.
  
  
• Do not read the text aloud or say the words to yourself in your head. This dramatically reduces your speed and your comprehension level.
  
  
• Do not stop and look up the meaning of every word or concept. This slows your pace and concentration significantly. Chances are if you continue reading you will be able to discern the meaning within the next few lines of the text.
  
  
• Immediately after the first reading look back at your highlighting and marginal comments. Also take a few minutes to think about what the author was saying.
  
  
• In a journal, write a short summary of the reading and your reactions to it. Doing this will help you analyze what you've just read and remember it better.

Theology is a tough read, and the explanations are often difficult. But there are strategies for plowing through this type of reading. You must become an active reader.

Prereading

Skim the reading. How is it organized? Are there headings and subheadings? Any bold print? Charts?
Read the preface and the copyright because they contain valuable information that will tell you who wrote the piece and when. Even the name of the publisher can be valuable knowledge to use when assessing validity.
Read the introduction, the conclusion, and the bold print. The introduction should contain a thesis stating the position of the author; the conclusion sums up the points made; and text in bold print signifies importance. When you preview the text, you begin your reading with some knowledge and consequently are able to comprehend better.

The first full reading

Underline, circle or star passages in the book that you consider important. Later, you can review these passages and/or comment on them in class.
Jot notes in the margins. If you don't understand the text, put a question mark in the margin or write a note. "Why did Calvin say this?" "Huh?"
Write comments about how you feel regarding the material. "Nature and God one? Recycling." This comment might be the idea for a research paper.
Look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary and write the meaning in the front of the book. Don't spend time to research every word; often the meaning of a word can be perceived within the context of the reading.

Rereading

Look back over your stars, underlinings, and comments after the first full reading of the text. Think about what the author is saying. Reread the definitions that you wrote in the front of the book.
Write a short summary of the reading in a journal or at the end of the text. Do this immediately so that your ideas are fresh. If there are parts you didn't understand, say that in your summary.
Talk to your classmates. They have read this material, are probably struggling too, and will have different insights.