Strategies for Academic Reading

Summary

In this presentation, Jenna Goddard, the Writing Center Coordinator at Thompson Rivers University, shares effective strategies for tackling academic reading. She introduces 'muscle reading,' a method designed to actively engage students with the material through three phases: preparation, focused reading, and review. Key tips include previewing text, asking questions, and taking regular breaks to enhance focus. Additionally, Jenna discusses effective highlighting, participation in learning, and the importance of revisiting material within 24 hours to retain information. The video also emphasizes alternative strategies, like using videos and different study environments, to improve comprehension and reduce the overwhelm of academic reading.

Takeaways

• 😀 Preview the material before reading to clarify your purpose and structure.
• 😀 Create an outline to understand the text’s structure and key points.
• 😀 Ask yourself questions about the material to actively engage and participate in your learning.
• 😀 Break reading sessions into intervals of 20 to 30 minutes to maintain focus and retention.
• 😀 Use a reward system, like a gummy worm after each page, to stay motivated.
• 😀 Highlight only the key concepts after reading and understanding the material, avoiding over-highlighting.
• 😀 Recite the material to help reinforce learning through active recall.
• 😀 Review new information within 24 hours to prevent forgetting and improve retention.
• 😀 Use multiple strategies like reading out loud or visualizing material to approach reading from different angles.
• 😀 If reading becomes overwhelming, take breaks, change environments, or use alternative learning formats like videos or tutors.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this presentation?

The main focus of this presentation is to share strategies for accessing academic material, particularly academic reading, and to introduce a method called muscle reading to help students engage better with their reading.

What is muscle reading, and how is it structured?

Muscle reading is a strategy for engaging with academic reading, broken down into three phases: Phase 1 (Before Reading) – Preview the material, create an outline, and ask questions; Phase 2 (During Reading) – Read actively, take breaks, and answer your own questions; Phase 3 (After Reading) – Recite, review, and review again to reinforce the material.

How can participation impact academic reading?

Participation in academic reading means actively engaging with the material, such as questioning, annotating, and thinking critically, instead of passively receiving information. It helps improve focus and comprehension during reading.

Why is it important to ask questions before starting to read academic material?

Asking questions before reading helps activate prior knowledge, clarify your purpose for reading, and increase engagement with the material, making it easier to absorb and understand the content.

What are some effective strategies for staying focused during reading sessions?

Effective strategies include taking breaks every 20-30 minutes, rewarding yourself (e.g., with a treat after finishing a page), visualizing the material, reading out loud, and switching perspectives to stay engaged with the material.

What is the importance of underlining or highlighting in academic reading?

Underlining or highlighting helps with comprehension and retention by focusing on key concepts. It’s important not to overdo it and to only underline the most important information after reading the material to avoid confusion.

How should students review their reading material to ensure they retain the information?

Students should review material within 24 hours to reinforce learning, and continue reviewing regularly (weekly or monthly) to keep neural pathways open, making it easier to recall the information during exams.

What role does recitation play in academic reading?

Recitation helps students consolidate what they’ve learned by explaining the material to themselves or others. This active process aids memory retention and clarifies understanding.

What is the benefit of using different formats (like videos) alongside academic texts?

Using different formats, such as videos, can provide an alternative perspective and make complex material easier to understand. This multi-format approach can enhance comprehension and retention.

How can students make reading feel less overwhelming?

To make reading less overwhelming, students can take frequent breaks, set manageable goals, use review strategies, and adjust their reading environment. Skipping around the text to read summaries first or changing their location can also help with focus.