Active Reading Strategies

Active Reading: Comprehension and Rate

Many college students discover that there is significantly more to read in college than there was in high school. Students frequently remark that they don't have enough time to read through all of their assignments during the week. However, many students have bad habits and subscribe to reading myths. This page is designed to help you understand reading as an activity and help you become a more efficient and effective reader.  Some common reading myths:

• Read every word.
• One reading is sufficient.
• Don't skip passages.
• Machines improve speed.
• A faster rate means less comprehension.

Handouts

Reading Myths:

• Six Reading Myths (28K Word)
• Harvard Report on Reading (20K Word)

Active Reading Strategies:

• SQ3R Method (22K Word)
• Getting to Know Your Texts (23K Word)
• Pivotal Words (22K Word)
• Using Your Textbook (21K Word)
• Vary Your Reading Rate (25K Word)

Where to Read:

• The Reading Environment (28K Word)

Videos

Reading Improvement Video (10:48 Minutes)

Reading Improvement Video with Captions (10:48 minutes)

Learning Links

A Classic Method for Studying Texts: SQ4R - University of Guelph

Active Reading Strategies – Princeton University

Rapid Reading – Cornell University

Concept Mapping – Cornell University

Guide to Reading Primary Sources – University of Pennsylvania