SS 104 Reading Strategies

Lynne Roberts Study Adviser Teaching and Learning Centre U600 Tower One Moodle course: Learning World

Nov 12 2008 Old Theatre 2.15-3.15pm

Common reading ailments

procrastination fatigue time (lack of ) boredom impatience amount of reading distractions (other courses, societies, keeping in touch with friends/family, just one more episode of Scrubs) cant remember what Ive previously read

Essential means
Probably a good idea? Voluntary? For the lecturer to read and explain? Completely necessary and if I dont read this material, internalise the content and develop my own understanding in relation to the course and other theories/approaches, I will not do well on the EXAM?

One way to focus your reading

download past exams to find out what you should be listening for in lectures and what info you should be getting from reading lists match topics to weekly lecture schedule and reading lists see if you can answer the questions afterwards; if not, fill in with further readings, notes from lectures, discussions, and study groups

Find the answers in the readings

African Development Is Africa the poorest continent because its governments have failed to properly implement structural adjustment? How successful have African leaders been in manipulating the agendas of structural adjustment and democratisation? Why has democratisation produced little improvement in the economic performance of most African states?
e.g. Can I relate Sen (2001 Development as Freedom) to these questions?

Do you ask yourself

why you are reading? Book/journal can only help you if you know what to expect from it Examples: main ideas, background knowledge, specific info for an assignment, related to my dissertation Avoid excessive highlighting Academic reading is purposeful, selective and relevant

Reading entire articles is TIME CONSUMING and the entirety of information is often NOT directly relevant Read: Abstract (outline, but not enough on its own) introduction, conclusion first to get an overview of main argument/findings/conclusions Then, first sentence of each paragraph to understand the thread or flow of the argument i.e. is it topical, chronological, compare/contrast, cause/effect, listing (enumeration)?

Master your reading list

are any items starred? are particular pages/chapters recommended? start with the most recent publications prioritise supplementary readings - is material covered in the lectures? - what can it add to your notes? - discussion groups

Identify key terms

significant words/expressions phenomena, themes, issues, debates names people, places, writers/authors systems, structures relationships categories, classes theories, propositions, concepts, ideas

Key questions to ask yourself

If you agree with what the writer is saying, can you specifically (or even generally) say why? What did you like about the argument? What is not being said? What appears to be left out? Who/what is missing? Do you disagree with anything? Can you clearly say why? Is it the writers opinion? Is there something faulty about the logic? Do you fail to see the links between the arguments? Or is more a general unease with the material that you cannot articulate? How have the issues addressed affected debates in the area (if at all)? Can you see any links emerging to other areas that have been covered (Including those in other modules/units)?

Reading Strategies*
1. Exploratory gist, whats it all about 2. Dedicated understand in depth, make it yours 3. Targeted find and extract relevant material
*Dr Peter Levins Guide to Reading and Writing for Undergraduates and Master's Students

Exploratory
conclusions (not always at the end) language used (terminology) preface and/or introductions structure (sections/sub-sections) of chapters/articles linking passages what are the main points/positions?

Dedicated
do an exploratory read first look through it regularly list all the contents prioritise and translate isolate cross-check everything

Targeted
dont be ruled by the reading list alone identify, list and memorise your key terms (make your own dictionary with definitions) find and go through conclusions scan the contents page scan the index scan the whole book quickly use bookmarks; photocopy relevant pages, indexes etc

Points to remember
different reading speeds for different purposes selective in what you read actively thinking about contents relevance summarise so that you dont have to go back or waste time searching Hard copy rules! Margin notes: - main idea - examples - specialised vocabulary and definitions - reactions - questions - section summary

Dont do it all yourself!

the amount of reading required of most courses can often appear to be overwhelming study groups parcel out supplementary readings, write summaries, share notes DISCUSS with other students and tutors (take notes) get help/advice if you need it early on in the academic year

Have you thought about

eye movements and font size concentration trying to read online (must have budget for printing and photocopying) surroundings dont underestimate importance of physical environment level of difficulty

Simple things can make a difference

pen/finger prevents skipping backwards notepad for things to do later related to the reading (concepts, questions) and not (call mum, arrange party, check Facebook) comfortable and quiet space, alternative University of London/public libraries (no internet connection = no social website temptations) etc. but only if you do not bring your laptop take advantage of departmental office hours e.g. prepare a list of key questions, take the opportunity to clarify concepts/discuss relationships to other readings etc.

If readings are too difficult

Preliminary reading may be necessary to understand frameworks/terminology (invest in a good dictionary if available and/or basic UG course book) This often applies to students who have changed disciplines at the MSc level ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ humanities social sciences science ------------------------------------------------------------------------------e.g. finance development management e.g. genetics finance e.g. journalism/languages law

Resources and Links

Learning World on Moodle http://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=698 See http://training.lse.ac.uk/ for all IT, Library, TLC and Language Centre courses Peter Levins Student Friendly Guides series is available at Waterstones and on Amazon Student Counselling http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentCounsellingServi ce/

Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC)

U600 Tower One
(all services are free of charge)

One-to-one and group study skills support; tutorials with RLF professional writer in residence, email: studentsupport@lse.ac.uk or call 0207 852 3627 Confidential one-to-one counselling sessions, email: student.counselling@lse.ac.uk or call 0207 852 3627 Dyslexia/disability assessment and tutorials, email: disability-dyslexia@lse.ac.uk or call 0207 955 7767