Effective Reading Think about your most recent reading experience What did you do? How did you approach your reading? The Learning Centre Grace Conti

Vector of Reader’s Interest Ask students what human attention span is? 20 minutes Source: Sheridan Baker The Practical Stylist 3rd Ed. Thomas Y. Crowell Co. New York. 1973. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Find your purpose What is important? What is new? What is familiar? Is my mind prepared? READ WITH THE QUESTION IN MIND That’s why Thesis Statement is written within first few minutes of reading. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Steps in Reading your Assignment Question IDENTIFY THE TOPIC The topic states what the assignment is about IDENTIFY KEY TERMS Instruction words – Verbs – give the directive Content words – Nouns – give the topic Modifiers – Adjectives, adverbs – give the tone/attitude/stance H/O Effective Reading Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Look for Cues of Organisation Sequence Cause and Effect Problem/Solution H/O Effective Reading bottom of first page Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Turn the Assignment into questions Example: Organisms and organisations can survive rapid environmental change if they adopt renewal strategies embodied in living, learning cultures. They must simultaneously adapt to and embrace change, while evolving new ways of operating and allocating resources. In short, they must evolve and devolve to survive and thrive (Peterson, 2009, p. 238). Get students to brainstorm individually and discuss key words and directives. Any lurking words? What questions would you be asking mentally to start researching for this assignment? Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Read with a question in mind Discuss this with reference to organisational theories and principles, in light of an organisation with which you are familiar. Refer to previous slide passage. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Make a list of Information to be Researched Key terms Key arguments Key authors Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Thesis Statement Start thinking of what your main message might be Know the word count requirement – helps the ‘how much do I need to read’ dilemma! How many key ideas can be developed within the limit? Read with a purpose – what am I looking for? Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Academic Writing requires Critical Thinking and Critical Reading Start by asking yourself: “What do I think of what I’ve just read?” Whilst you may have a point of view, this needs to be supported by critical thinking and evidence from texts. Life experiences are important for critical thinking, but must be supported by researched evidence. Be mindful of your biases and prejudices. Your argument/point of view must be valid. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Keeping a critical eye Content Evaluate the Evidence Question surface appearance – figures; tables; charts; diagrams Theory or model base Conclusion Does the evidence support the conclusion? Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Where do I start? Course text Course lecture notes Recommended reading Seminal authors (Who are they? Where can I find them?) Academic journal articles H/O Gathering & Evaluating Information Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

1st Reading - Skimming Title Publication details Abstract Graphics – images Sub-Headings H/O Reading Techniques Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

2nd Reading - Scanning Thesis statement or focus (last sentence of Introduction) Introduction Conclusion Sub-Heading and First sentence of every paragraph. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

3rd Reading - Reading for detail Looking for evidence to support your argument Highlighting key words & concepts Note-taking Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

4th Reading – Reading for Recall Read highlighted parts Read notes Make more notes Combine notes from different sources. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

The BIG tip! Do NOT Do NOT read more than 3 sources before you START WRITING! You MUST start writing to enhance your READING efficiency and effectiveness Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Note Taking The Cornell System – also very useful for synthesising. Recall Column Main notemaking H/O Making Notes (on back of Reading Techniques) H/O How to make good notes Summary Reading using Visualising Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Highlighter Trap Highlighting important information or facts so they can be easily found later, is a helpful strategy. Highlighting everything you want to remember is not so helpful. Don’t confuse highlighting with active reading. They are not the same thing. Sometimes students highlight so much information, it is impossible to distinguish what is of value from what is not. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

How to Focus Sandy MacGregor’s Technique Before reading text, take a deep breath and go to peaceful place within your mind using porpoise eye movement Eye porpoising is done by closing eyes, roll them upwards (2 or 3 seconds), roll them back forward. Do this 2 or 3 times. Open eyes, look at text and Tell yourself “I can’t wait to read this”. http://www.calm.com.au/about/sandy-macgregor H/O Sandy MacGregor’s Accelerated Reading and Comprehension. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Engage the subconscious H/O for students to write/draw their own Peaceful Place and Napping or Meditating is proving to increase memory retention by 20%. The Learning Centre CURTIN Grace Conti CRICOS 00301J http://cdn.bluefaqs.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Google-Cliff2.jpg