Reading Handouts

Reading Basics

Before you dive into that textbook, article, or novel, take a moment to orient yourself to your reading task with three important pre-reading tasks: determining your purpose, previewing, and pace-setting.

Using Graphic Organizers

If you're a visual learner, this handout will give your visual brain a number of graphic organizer models that you can use to organize your learning material.

Reading Links

Follow these links for resources on reading more effectively and efficiently. Each of these sites offers learning resources appropriate for college-level learners. Please note that neither SPU nor the Center for Learning is responsible for contents on the following pages.

• "Understanding the BIG PICTURE of what you read"

  BCDE: A mnemonic device to help you get the overall ideas in what you read.

  http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/bcde.html

• "Understanding the DETAILS of what you read"

5Ws & 1H: A mnemonic device to help you understand the details of what you read.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/5w1h.html

• "PRR: Preview, Read, Recall"

An at-a-glance matrix pdf document for remembering these three keys to effective reading comprehension.

http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/supplemental instruction/manual/reading/prr.pdf

• "Mark in Your Books!"

Describes why, when, & how to mark in your textbooks, including an example of an appropriately marked in text page.

http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/supplemental_instruction/manual/reading/markbooks.pdf

• "Effective Reading Skills"

Covers the basic techniques of Skimming, Scanning, & Studying, in addition to the SQ3R technique and additional resources.

http://www.pc.vccs.edu/SSS/effective_reading_skills.htm

• "Understanding what you read"

PASTE: A mnemonic to help you understand what you read by using aids.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/paste.html

• Having trouble completing your reading assignments?

Discover six key myths  about reading that may be holding you back... http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/docs/6_reading_myths.doc

• "Help with reading a COMPUTER SCREEN"

RUD-PC: A mnemonic for helping you read from the computer screen.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/rudpc.html

• "Reading & Remembering Fiction"

SPORE: A mnemonic to help you remember fictional stories.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/spore.html

• "Improve your reading SPEED"

WARF: A mnemonic to help improve your reading speed.

http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/warf.html

• Get to know your Textbook! It may come in handy.

Look over these tips for using your textbook. Interaction with your text will make reading more interesting and easier to understand...  http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/docs/know_your_texts.doc http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/docs/using_your_textbook.doc

• Reading Environment 

Environment can make a big difference in your ability to focus and may make reading more difficult than it needs to be. Consider these factors that affect your environment.

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/docs/reading_environment.doc