Textbook reading strategies

EffectiveTextbookReading Strategies How to read textbooks and like it!! by: Randall Cooper, Adjunct Instructor Cleveland Community College Shelby, NC Really?

It’s not Rocket Science, or Molecular Biology, and we’re not reading Proust.

Reading textbooks successfully, however, does require some thought and skill. After all, there is reading…

and then, there is reading. The secret is to recognize the difference and adjust accordingly

The secret to success when it comes to reading textbooks is a concept called “Active Reading Passive Active Get the Picture?

The question is, “How do I become an active reader so that my mind stays focused and doesn’t go “wool-gathering”? I’m really glad you asked that question!!

It’s helpful to think about reading as a process just like you have learned to think of writing as a process (hopefully). The reading process has 3 important steps: ,[object Object]

ReviewDUH!! Like I said, it’s not rocket science

[object Object],Before you begin reading a chapter from your textbook, take time to get to know it. Look at the Table of Contents. A lot of times, there is both a brief table and a detailed table. ,[object Object],[object Object]

Now, take a look at the Detailed Table of Contents. This will give you probably more information than you want, so just concentrate on the chapter you are going to read. Notice how the information in the chapter fits together. Notice, also, that here you can easily see the important words and concepts about which you will be reading.,[object Object]

As you look at the information about your chapter, ask yourself the following:How familiar am I with this information? Not at all? Some? Very? What do I know that I can connect with this information? (Making personal connections is a major part of Active Reading).

[object Object],How difficult will this material be to understand? Not difficult (I can read faster) Medium difficult (I will need more time) Difficult (I will have to read slow and concentrate more) This seems like it will take a lot of time that could be spent reading, but it really only takes a few minutes. Your brain will thank you for taking the time to engage it in the process, and you will notice that your mind will be a lot more cooperative in the learning process.

[object Object],There are 2 main strategies to use while reading. These will help you continue to keep your mind engaged with your reading. Annotate instead of Highlight. Many people underline and highlight, but this takes no effort from your mind. It’s better to write comments in the margin (annotations), or use some kind of coding system to code the text. These keep your mind involved while you re reading.

[object Object],Take Notes or Outline (Double-Entry Journal). You will need some paper for this step. I know people who use outlining (keep an outline of important points on a separate sheet of paper) and get a lot of help from it. Personally, the most helpful note taking technique for me is to keep a double-entry journal (see next slide). Whatever you do, the point is to keep your eye on the forest while you are walking through the trees.

[object Object],Continued: Double-Entry Journal– Divide your paper into 2 columns. Title the left column something like “I observe…” and the right column something like “I wonder….” In the left column, make notes about things from your reading that stand out to you. Write down enough information that you can go back and find the passage. Read the entire passage making notes of important passages as you go.

[object Object],When you finish reading the chapter, go back and look at the passages listed in the left column of your double-entry journal. Take a few minutes to write in the right column next to each entry questions or comments you have about each entry. If you didn’t keep a double-entry journal, go back and review whatever notes and annotations you made.

Textbook reading strategies

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Textbook reading strategies