Effective reading

To become an effective reader ask yourself:

• Why am I reading?
• What should I read?
• What form will it take?
• Where do I find it?
• Is it worth reading?
• How can I speed read?
• How can I speed read and remember?
• What reduces my reading speed?
• What should I record?

Why am I reading?

• Complete understanding
• General impression
• Generate ideas
• Analyse or critique
• Specific information/fact finding
• Pleasure
• Remember and recall 

Note-taking

• If you are making notes from a chapter of a book or a journal article, read the first and last few paragraphs (and the summary/abstract if there is one) to get a flavour of the topic.
• If taking lecture notes familiarise yourself beforehand with the topic. The module handbook should give you a guide
• When taking lecture notes start each lecture note with subject/title, lecturer's name and date

Do

• Keep notes brief
• Use your own words
• Leave spaces. Wide margin or write on one side of paper - to add notes later
• Note key words and main ideas
• Write phrases – NOT sentences
• Use abbreviations (create your own)
• Use headings
• Number points
• Make the page interesting – with colour, use arrows, numbers, boxes
• Note sources of information. Be precise - you will need details when writing your references.
• Read your lecture notes through as soon as possible. Make them clearer by adding your own notes. If you think you have missed something, check with your lecturer or colleagues.
• Organise your notes in ring binders with dividers

Do not

• Copy chunks and phrases of books/journals
• Write out lecture notes again to make them neater