{"id":1092,"date":"2021-05-21T20:11:25","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T20:11:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-englishcomp2\/?post_type=chapter&p=1092"},"modified":"2022-07-25T19:31:49","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T19:31:49","slug":"active-academic-reading","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-englishcomp2\/chapter\/active-academic-reading\/","title":{"raw":"Active Academic Reading","rendered":"Active Academic Reading"},"content":{"raw":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\nRecognize differences between casual reading and active academic reading\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Casual Reading Vs. Active Reading<\/h2>\r\nTo 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.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Casual Reading<\/strong><\/th>\r\nActive Reading<\/strong><\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\"BoyKnowing what happens can ruin the surprise and suspense. Casual readers avoid spoilers.<\/td>\r\n\"aGetting 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.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\"PersonIt's usually possible to read casually even in a distracting environment.\u00a0 Many people enjoy casual reading just before bed.<\/td>\r\n\"YoungActive 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.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\"WomanMany readers find it pleasurable to read casually for hours at a stretch. They might say \"I couldn't put this book down!\"<\/td>\r\n\"YoungActive 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.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\"PartWhen reading casually, you can probably guess the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context.<\/td>\r\n\"Dictionary\"When reading academic texts, you may have to look up words or concepts, and you may have to read complicated sentences several times.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\"ReadingTo read casually, just open a book or a magazine.<\/td>\r\n\"DigitalActive reading requires some writing, whether marking up the text or taking notes in a notebook or digital file.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\"ScreenshotYou 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).<\/td>\r\n\"personAfter 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.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
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Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/9be75034-879f-49d7-9e45-e59aed05239e\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIf 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:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Strategies for Active Reading\r\n<\/em><\/caption>\r\n
Before Reading<\/strong><\/th>\r\nWhile Reading<\/strong><\/th>\r\nAfter Reading<\/strong><\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Preview the reading headings to get a \u201cbig picture\u201d of the outline of the reading. Look at the pictures and figures. Check out the bold and italicized words.<\/td>\r\nAs you are reading, seek out the answers to the questions that the reading or you generated rather than passively scanning the words.<\/td>\r\nTake reading notes from the highlighted material from the text. Use visual organizers and summaries to capture information.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Preview any questions that the chapter may offer so that you can actively seek answers to those questions.<\/td>\r\nMonitor your concentration and comprehension. After each paragraph, ask yourself, \u201cWhat was the main point of that paragraph?\u201d After each section, summarize what you have read.<\/td>\r\nAnswer questions that the reading may have provided or that you developed. Reread sections in which you remember little information.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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).<\/td>\r\nMark 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.<\/td>\r\nIntegrate your reading notes and lecture\/discussion notes into one location for easier review for an exam.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Plan for a high energy time of the day to read. Consider breaking up a long reading assignment into multiple, shorter reading sessions.<\/td>\r\nLook up the definitions to words that you do not understand to help build your vocabulary and facilitate understanding of the topic.<\/td>\r\nDiscuss 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.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Be sure you have your materials ready for reading: text, notebook paper, writing utensils, highlighters, charged laptop, etc.<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Adapted from Dembo and Seli (2008) and Downing (2008).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Active Reading: Identifying the Main Idea<\/h2>\r\nAcademic reading requires critical reading skills. Whether you\u2019re 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.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere are some tips for identifying the main ideas when reading:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. The table of contents<\/strong> and chapter outlines<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Titles, headings, and subheadings<\/strong> announce the major subject. Make these headings into questions, and the answers to the questions will likely be the main ideas.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Bold<\/strong> and italic<\/em> words point to a main idea or key concept that you need to understand.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Repetition<\/strong> of key words or phrases throughout the text point to a main idea.<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Stop and look at the visuals<\/strong>\u2014pictures, diagrams, tables, etc. Oftentimes, the message depicted in the graph or picture is a main idea.<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Detailed statistics, several examples in a row, and signal phrases like \"in other words\" often signal that a main idea is being clarified<\/strong>, proven, or supported<\/strong>. Track back or ahead to find the main idea they are trying to illustrate.<\/li>\r\n \t
  7. Look for organizational patterns<\/strong> 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?<\/li>\r\n \t
  8. Be intentional<\/strong> about searching for the main ideas. Ask yourself at the end of each section or paragraph, \u201cWhat is the point?\u201d or \u201cWhat is it that the author wants me to know?\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t
  9. If you are reading a narrative, ask yourself questions like, \u201cWho are the main characters?\u201d \u201cWhy is this character important to this story?\u201d \u201cWhy did the author choose to tell this part of the story?\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n