L o t te Yo n g

L earn i n g Co o rd i n a to r

l . yo n g @b b k . ac . u k (q u es t i o n s / feed b ack )

s tu d ysk i l l s@b b k . ac . u k (mak i n g (ap p o i n tmen t )s

w w w. b b k . ac . u k / s tu d ysk i l l s ( fu l l p ro g ramme)

Reading and Information Management

Coping with reading

You will need to read a lot!

You will need to read, understand and remember.

You will need a system for recording what you have read.

Deciding what to read

Dealing with reading lists:Distinguish between essential and

supplementary readingLook for titles that give you an overview as

a starting point.Read only those chapters or pages that are

useful.Look at journal articles to get a feel for the

current issues and controversies.Try and read set text ahead before your

next lecture

Academic reading techniques

Exploratory reading: getting an overview of a new subject

Targeted reading: SQ3R finding information for an

essay/report/presentation

SQ3R reading technique

Survey: Scan and Skim and your sources. Select the most relevant

Question: Form a question in your mind. What are you looking for?

Read:Follow the argument. Does it answer your question?

Recall: Stop reading at intervals; recall briefly what you have just

read Review: Pause in your reading and take notes

Following the argument

Academic writing is linear

Read first: the introduction and the conclusion, then the rest. Are there helpful subheadings?

Pay particular attention to the first sentence of every paragraph (the topic sentence)

What to look out for

Every academic book or article is trying to make a point or state a position.

These are supported by arguments, propositions, ideas and evidence.

The author is trying to convince you of his position by reasoning. Do you agree, do you have reservations?

Note making

What sort of notes are you taking? Do they work for YOU?

Get a firm grip on your notes right from the beginning”!”

Students’ advice

Key points to note from your reading

Note the bibliographical details of the text you are reading first

Note the author’s main thesis/conclusion/stance (you find it in the introduction and conclusion)

Note the author’s main arguments, examples and evidence which are used to back up the main thesis

Note possible criticism or alternative interpretation etc.

Note one or two good sentences/sentence fragments you may want to use as a quotation.

Different methods

Linear notes

Flow chart, cycles, diagrams

Radial, concept maps mind maps

When re-reading your notes you may become aware of a pattern and ways of organising your notes differently

Notes – other organising patterns

a mindmap