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Queen's University
 

Setting Up for Reading

Pre-Reading Questions:

  • Do I enjoy reading, or do it only when necessary?
  • Is reading one of my preferred ways of gaining information?
  • Am I realistic about the effort required to read and understand new material?

Ready for Reading Questions:

  • Do I need to read this?
  • Do I need to read it from this source?
  • Do I know what is required for the assessment: e.g. do I need to read it all or just parts of it?
  • Can I read this? Do I have prior knowledge to understand? time? skills?

Good readers prepare themselves to read before they put eye to page. They assess the purpose of the reading, their goals for reading, and also the expectations of the professor.

Answering the questions below before you begin to read will make your reading more efficient, effective, and meaningful.

Purpose/Goal

  • What is required of me?
  • What are the expectations of the professor vis-à-vis the readings?
Sources of Information
  • What sources of information are required? e.g. do I need to read the textbook?
  • Are there alternative ways of getting the same information from others sources? e.g. Internet 
Environment
  • What environment do I need for reading well? e.g. best time of day; best location 
Quantit
  • How much reading needs to be done?
  • How much do I want to do? 
Nature of the Readings
  • What is the nature of the materials to be read? e.g. journal article, novel, textbook, bulletin
  • Do I find certain type of materials more difficult? easier? 
 Time
  • What time do I have available for this reading?
  • Have I organized my time so that I can get the reading done?
  • How long do I estimate the reading will take given my reading speed? 

 



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