General Reading Tips
·	Prepare to read before you begin (eliminate distractions, have paper, blank flash 	   	    cards, pens, etc., available)
·	Skim the entire chapter or section to get a broad context for the specific information you 	    encounter in the reading
·	Read actively!  This means with pencil, pen, or highlighter in hand
·	Don’t read too much at one sitting (difficulty of text will determine how much); 	   	   take breaks
·	Mark main points, helpful examples, critical definitions (underline, highlight, 	   	   write in margins…)
·	Take notes— summarize all main ideas (on separate piece of paper)
·	Review your marked text at regular intervals
·	Re-read the text when confused and have faith in the power of second and 	    
      subsequent readings to help you understand more
·	Look up words you don’t know
·	Mark well chosen quotes, statistics, examples, etc., that will support your 	  
      statements in classroom conversation, in a paper, or in an essay question on an exam!

Recognizing Main Ideas:
·	They are often generalized statements
·	They often appear at the beginning of a section, passage, or paragraph  
·	They often appear again in the conclusion
·	They often state or imply the author’s conclusions/opinion
·	They are supported by examples, definitions, etc.

Recognizing supporting material in nonfiction:
·	Often takes the form of: specific examples, case studies, anecdotes, descriptions, explanations, comparisons, analogies,  statistics, quotes from experts in the field
·	Usually follows a generalized statement or leads up to one
·	Seems to have the purpose of developing, solidifying, clarifying or proving a conclusion, concept, theme, or opinion

This handout provided as a service of Academic Assistance. Library 124 Ext 7518.