Reading Assignments

Worried that you have been given too much reading?

University of New South Wales advocates purposeful reading — "Start by asking questions about what you need to find out, and then select reading that relates to your questions." For example, if you need to find specific information, skim the material until you spot what you need. But "To understand reasons and facts and to learn, read slowly and deliberately." Critical reading, they explain, involves "reading in-depth" in order "to gain deep understanding of the material." While reading critically, they recommend questioning whether the writer provides critical evidence to back up statements, uses logical arguments, and is evenhanded in presenting different sides of a case. Another UNSW tip for Effective Reading: plan to read the material twice and only take notes during the second reading.

In Coming to Grips with Reading and Writing Academic Articles, Yukon College recommends checking out the sources used by the author. "Check the foot- or endnotes or look at the reference list. Knowing where the author got the information will tell you whether the author is looking at something new (interviews, letters, archival or government documents, etc.), taking a new look at something old (books and articles), or combining new and old."

Be selective about your reading, says British Broadcasting Service. "Choose which books or articles you really need to read by scanning the titles or chapters for key words – that is, words which are relevant to your subject." Their piece The Language of Study and Work is especially helpful for you as the materials you're studying are written in English but English is not your primary language.