Reading for Academic Success

1. Reading for Academic Success Academic Success Seminar/Workshop College of Veterinary Medicine University of Minnesota Deb Wingert, Ph.D. Director of Educational Development

2. Reading for Academic Success Academic material is not meant to be read. It is meant to be ransacked and pillaged for essential content. canberra.edu, 2008

3. Reading for Academic Success Tip: Set a time frame for reading.... Do not read any____________ than you can _______________ canberra.edu, 2008

4. Reading for Academic Success Tip: Read the ___________ first! Then check the headings, subheadings, bolded terms canberra.edu, 2008

5. Reading for Academic Success Tip: Try writing or ____________________________ a brief summary of the chapter/section The info you recall tend to stay in your memory by the actual act (saying/writing) of recall canberra.edu, 2008

6. Reading for Academic Success Tip: Read Against the Grain Begin reading to ________________________ (that you ask yourself about chapter sections) The ‘look-away’ method: Look away from the text and ask yourself a question.......answer in your own words studygs.net, 2008

7. Reading for Academic Success Tip: Use methods of _____________________ that keep you alert and relaxed. Weatherford College, 2008

8. In 10-15 minutes, read: Title Introduction Sub-headings Topic sentence of each paragraph – (usually the first or second sentence) Last sentence of each paragraph Any italicized or bolded words Lists (you can skim these) Chapter conclusion Weatherford College, 2008 Reading for Academic SuccessTip: Read One Chapter or Section of a Chapter

9. Reading for Academic SuccessTip: Read One Chapter or Section of a Chapter (C’d): Then.... • Close your textbook. • Make a _________________ (10 minutes) of all you can remember in the chapter. • Keep going, even if you feel that you can't possibly remember any more-- more will surface if you give yourself the time. • Do NOT open your text yet. Weatherford College, 2008

10. Reading for Academic SuccessTip: Read One Chapter or Section of a Chapter (C’d): If you come to a dead end in mind mapping, try memory techniques: • _________________ ideas; • _________________ pages, pictures, graphs etc.; • staring out the window and blanking out your thoughts. This is strenuous, but rewarding. Weatherford College, 2008

11. Important to note Most of all A significant factor A __________________ A key feature The main value Especially valuable Most noteworthy Remember that A major event The chief outcome A vital force Above all A central issue A distinctive quality Especially relevant Should be noted __________________ The chief factor Pay particular attention to csupomona.edu, 2008 Reading for Academic Success Tip: Hunt for signal words

12. Comparison Like/likewise/alike Just _________ Equally In like manner In the same way Similarity/similarly Just as As in a similar fashion Contrast But However In contrast _______________ Differ Difference Variation ________________ On the contrary conversely Otherwise On the other hand csupomona.edu, 2008 Reading for Academic Success Tip: Hunt for comparison & contrast words

13. Cause and Effect.......used to describe results/effects Because Therefore _________________ Cause Reason Effect Thus Consequently _______________ As a result If.....then Resulted in..... csupomona.edu, 2008 Reading for Academic Success Tip: Hunt for cause & effect words

14. Reading for Academic SuccessFour Kinds of Reading One: Skimming Use to locate information or main idea csupomona, 2008

15. Skimming(continued): Read the first and last paragraph of the book/text For each chapter: Read the ____________________ of each or the assigned chapter(s).....check all visuals Let your eyes focus ________________ on each page, catching a word/phrase on every page You can even scan the _____________ sentence of each paragraph Reading for Academic Success Four Kinds of Reading

16. Reading for Academic SuccessFour Kinds of Reading TWO: Speed Reading Use to read rapidly for ____________________________________ ________________________________ csupomona, 2008

17. Reading for Academic SuccessFour Kinds of Reading TWO: Speed Reading (continued): • Try to avoid focusing on every word, but rather look at _________________________ words. • Use your hand or an index card to guide your ________________ the page. csupomona, 2008

18. Reading for Academic SuccessFour Kinds of Reading TWO: Speed Reading (continued): If you have poor concentration when reading, practice reading for only ________ minutes at a time and gradually increase this time. csupomona, 2008

19. TWO: Speed Reading (continued): Focus on ________________ of words Spend a few minutes each day __________________ as fast as you can Use an index card (or hand) to guide your eyes down the page Your speed increases when you ______________________________ Reading for Academic Success Four Kinds of Reading

20. Reading for Academic SuccessFour Kinds of Reading Three: Study Reading Use to read for maximum understanding: SQ3R or SQ5R csupomona, 2008

21. S_________ Before you study, get the overall picture (read summaries, headings, etc.) Q__________ Ask ‘what’ ‘where’ ‘when’ ‘how’ and especially, ‘why’ as you read/study Write in margins of text and notes. Read to answer questions Hunt for Bold and italics R______________ Try to say main ideas, important concepts in your own words Connect info to what you already know R________________ Re-read to see what you have remembered Review (fine-tune) notes and check any questions at the end of your study time (NOT just before exams!) Strategies: The SQ3R Method

22. Survey Headings Subheadings Summaries Overviews Bolded terms Question Turn items above into a question.....what, where, who, when, why Read to answer the questions raised Review key ideas, words/phrases Recite/say it out loud R_____________ R_____________ Strategies: The SQ5R Method

23. Survey Read the first and last page of the chapter.....check all visuals Let your eyes focus once or twice on each page, catching a word/phrase on every page Scan the first and last sentence of each paragraph THEN you are ready to read the chapter......you will likely understand it much better! Reading for Academic SuccessSQ5R....a Tip:

24. Reading for Academic SuccessFour Kinds of Reading Four: Reflective Use to read for specific procedures (recipes, experiment, to critique/evaluate, to enjoy, to share) csupomona, 2008

25. Circle key words and ____________ Jot main ideas ________________ Write questions as you read Write brief summaries as you read Outline/concept map main ideas Reading for Academic SuccessA few tips:

26. The Cornell System: • Step One: R___________ Column • Write notes during class in a ___________ column

27. The Cornell System: • Step Two: R____________ Column • After class, reduce ideas into a few words and place them in a __________ column

28. The Cornell System: • Step Three: ______________________________ • Review notes after lecture. Connect main concepts in left (recall) column with details in the right (record) column.

29. The Cornell System: • Step Four: S_________________________ • In the bottom summary section, jot a few sentences , summarizing all main points and why this is important. Students are 31% more likely to remember content by doing this step!

30. Questions? Thank you!! Deborah A. Wingert, Ph.D. Director of Educational Development College of Veterinary Medicine (108 Pomeroy) Preparing Future Faculty Program Coordinator Early Career Program Facilitator Center for Teaching and Learning University of Minnesota 315 Science Classroom Building 222 Pleasant St. S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455 Phone: (612/626-2995 at Pomeroy) or (612/625-3405 at CTL) Email: winge007@umn.edu