Go to the questions at the end of the chapter and read over them so you can look for those points as you read.
Read the Final Summary of the Chapter first to give you an idea of what you will be learning and the main points it will cover.
Read the large or bold headings and sub-headings carefully as they are structure of each topic you will read about.
Read the introduction to the chapter.
NOW start reading the chapter in your textbook looking for the things that were highlighted in steps 1-4.
How to Read a Novel
Read for comprehension.
Pay attention to repetition that the author has specifically used in the text.
Read with themes in mind. (almost every novel will have one or more themes throughout it)
Highlight and know your literary elements in the Novel. (Plot, setting, characters, foreshadowing, imagery, etc.)
Read for interpretation.
How to Read an Article
Begin by reading the introduction, not the abstract.
Identify the big question.
Summarize the background in five sentences or less.
Identify the specific question(s).
Identify the approach.
Read the methods section.
Read the results section.
How to Read a Scholarly Work
Know your research question or argument.
You don't have to read the entire article in order.
Read critically.
Read the reference section. (This could lead you to other sources that have valuable information that could help you)
Take notes.
How to Improve Your Reading Efficiency
READ DAILY - Get into the habit of reading each day. It doesn't have to be the same subject, but reading each day exercises your brain and keeps it ready to receive information.
SMALL CHUNCKS - Don't ever try to read an entire chapter in one night. The material is too dense and needs to be broken up into smaller chunks. Read a little throughout the day like 30 minutes when you wake up, one hour during lunch, 30 minutes before dinner, and then the rest after dinner.
RECALL - After you finish reading, take notes on what you've read or create a short summary. This will help you recall the information.
REWARD - The reward of "good grades" is too far off, reward yourself at the end of each day for reading/doing homework. Simple rewards are streaming an episode of your favorite show, eating your favorite dessert, working out, etc.
How to Actively Read
Read the chapter summary first. Take notes, or better yet, make potential test questions over the chapter summary.
Skim the subheadings throughout the chapter.
Now, start reading BUT only subheading to subheading. When you finish reading an entire subheading section, take notes and make potential test questions.
If your chapter has review questions at the end of certain sections or at the end of the chapter, write those down in your notes as potential test questions.
Now, you have finished reading your chapter AND you have notes and study tools.
