Active Academic Reading

Learning Objectives

Recognize differences between casual reading and active academic reading

Casual Reading Vs. Active Reading

To read effectively for college, you have to train yourself to read in a different way. You may have heard this strategy described as “active reading.” Active academic reading differs from casual reading in a few key ways. 

Casual Reading Active Reading
Boy reading book called flying saucers on the attack. He looks shockedKnowing what happens can ruin the surprise and suspense. Casual readers avoid spoilers. a compass and a mapGetting a sense of the overall argument helps the reader understand each piece. Active readers use pre-reading strategies (see below) to understand the overall shape of the argument.
Person reading in bedIt’s usually possible to read casually even in a distracting environment.  Many people enjoy casual reading just before bed. Young man reading at the libraryActive reading requires focus and effort. It’s important to seek out an environment in which you can concentrate, such as a library study space. It’s also best to read when you’re wide awake.
Woman standing and readingMany readers find it pleasurable to read casually for hours at a stretch. They might say “I couldn’t put this book down!” Young woman sleeping on her notebook while studyingActive reading can be tiring and strenuous; Shorter, more frequent sessions of active reading are far more effective than trying to do all the assigned reading in one go.
Part of a page from a nonsense poem, JabberwockyWhen reading casually, you can probably guess the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context. DictionaryWhen reading academic texts, you may have to look up words or concepts, and you may have to read complicated sentences several times.
Reading an ebook in a hammockTo read casually, just open a book or a magazine. Digital annotationsActive reading requires some writing, whether marking up the text or taking notes in a notebook or digital file.
Screenshot of four-star online book reviewYou don’t have to do anything when you finish reading for enjoyment (though you might recommend the book to a friend or write a review online). person typing on laptopAfter reading an academic text, it’s important to review your understanding of the argument and read through your notes. You may want to jot down some notes on the overall argument while it’s fresh in your memory.

Try It

If you’re used to thinking of reading as putting up your feet and opening a magazine or a book, you’ll have to reimagine what’s being asked of you when you get a reading assignment for school. Active academic reading entails a few extra steps before, during, and after reading, as the following chart suggests:

Strategies for Active Reading
Before Reading While Reading After Reading
Preview the reading headings to get a “big picture” of the outline of the reading. Look at the pictures and figures. Check out the bold and italicized words. As you are reading, seek out the answers to the questions that the reading or you generated rather than passively scanning the words. Take reading notes from the highlighted material from the text. Use visual organizers and summaries to capture information.
Preview any questions that the chapter may offer so that you can actively seek answers to those questions. Monitor your concentration and comprehension. After each paragraph, ask yourself, “What was the main point of that paragraph?” After each section, summarize what you have read. Answer questions that the reading may have provided or that you developed. Reread sections in which you remember little information.
Turn text headings into questions so that you can actively seek answers to those questions. Jot those questions down in the margin of the text or in your notes (if you plan to take reading notes). Mark your text. Highlight the main idea of a paragraph or write down the main idea of a paragraph in your notes. If you cannot mark your text, take reading notes on the main ideas. Integrate your reading notes and lecture/discussion notes into one location for easier review for an exam.
Plan for a high energy time of the day to read. Consider breaking up a long reading assignment into multiple, shorter reading sessions. Look up the definitions to words that you do not understand to help build your vocabulary and facilitate understanding of the topic. Discuss readings with classmates on a regular basis. Take turns explaining to each other sections of the reading. Ask and answer reading questions. Jot down questions that are unclear to the study group to ask the professor in class or during office hours.
Be sure you have your materials ready for reading: text, notebook paper, writing utensils, highlighters, charged laptop, etc.

Adapted from Dembo and Seli (2008) and Downing (2008).

Active Reading: Identifying the Main Idea

Academic reading requires critical reading skills. Whether you’re reading a math text, a poem, or an article in the social sciences, you will need to use critical reading skills to find the main idea of the reading.

Here are some tips for identifying the main ideas when reading:

  1. The table of contents and chapter outlines provide a broad view of the main points that will be covered in a reading. Flesh out the outlines that are already provided for you.
  2. Titles, headings, and subheadings announce the major subject. Make these headings into questions, and the answers to the questions will likely be the main ideas.
  3. Bold and italic words point to a main idea or key concept that you need to understand.
  4. Repetition of key words or phrases throughout the text point to a main idea.
  5. Stop and look at the visuals—pictures, diagrams, tables, etc. Oftentimes, the message depicted in the graph or picture is a main idea.
  6. Detailed statistics, several examples in a row, and signal phrases like “in other words” often signal that a main idea is being clarified, proven, or supported. Track back or ahead to find the main idea they are trying to illustrate.
  7. Look for organizational patterns in the reading that might highlight the main ideas. For instance, are two issues being compared or contrasted? What was the effect of a certain event? Are problems and various solutions being presented? Is there a timeline of events that is important?
  8. Be intentional about searching for the main ideas. Ask yourself at the end of each section or paragraph, “What is the point?” or “What is it that the author wants me to know?”
  9. If you are reading a narrative, ask yourself questions like, “Who are the main characters?” “Why is this character important to this story?” “Why did the author choose to tell this part of the story?”