S3 p2 active reading pdf

Copyright © May 2014, Montessori Centre Interna7onal

Active Reading & Note taking

Copyright © May 2014, Montessori Centre International

Think about

� Why do we read?

�  How do you know what to read?


Virtue v effectiveness

�  Leah reads every book on the reading list and searches the internet constantly

�  She reads every book from cover to cover

�  She writes very detailed notes

�  She writes her notes neatly, in full sentences

�  She works long hours with few breaks


How do we read academically?

�  Not by reading books through from cover to cover

�  Not by copying out huge chunks of text to use in assignments

�  It is about selecting what to read

�  Knowing why you are reading it

�  And then reading in an interactive way


Question

� Why am I reading this?

�  For an overview of a new subject �  To explore something in more detail �  To follow up something mentioned in a session

�  To find quotes or references for an assignment

�  Each would need a slightly different reading approach, you would not make detailed notes on a whole chapter if just looking for one quote, but here would be no point just writing out a couple of quotes if you have no general understanding of a subject


Choosing what to read

�  Look at your reading list and any recommended readings

� When finding a book or source, think how does this relate to the subject or assignment?

�  Skim and scan before reading a book

�  Overview the book/source

�  Overview the relevant chapters/sections

�  Overview each paragraph


Skimming

Gathering as much info from the text in the shortest time

Gaining an impression or gist of the text

Not reading the whole page


Scanning

Is when you are searching for something specific in the text – like a word or phrase

Like looking in a telephone directory or in the index of a book


Think again

� What am I looking for?

� What do I already know about this topic?

� What do I need to find out?

� Which bit of my coursework/assignment will this help me with?

�  This way you will get more out of your reading rather than just passively starting to read something not quite knowing what, why or how it will help you.


Read actively

�  Manageable chunks – paragraph at a time

�  Asking questions as you go �  Interactive – underlining, highlighting, making margin notes, using post-‐it tabs


Re-‐read

�  Notes made too soon are typically too passive and too long

�  Re-‐read your text looking at your annotations and highlights.

�  Have you captured all that you wanted?

�  Do you really understand it? �  Create your own set of notes on that text (remember to source your notes)


Review look back over your notes

�  Judge how useful, useable and effective your notes are.

�  Have you sourced your notes correctly? �  Are your quotes accurate, with page no?

�  Have you answered your questions, did you get what you wanted from the reading?

�  Decide what to read next.


Summary

�  Active reading – reading with a purpose and context

� Questioning why you are reading

�  Having an overview

�  Scanning sources of information

�  Asking questions of your reading as you go � Mark up and annotate your texts

� Only make notes after your first read through

�  Sourcing notes accurately �  Creating a system for note taking



Education

S3 p2 active reading pdf