FSPE0032

INTRODUCTION TO
ACADEMIC
READING
Centre for Degree and Foundation
Studies, UTMSPACE
 INTRODUCTION
“How can I get through all this reading?”
“Do I have to read everything on the reading list?”
“I can’t understand a lot of what I’m reading. It’s all
so new to me.”
 Reading is an essential skill for a
student to attain.

The ability to comprehend, infer and

analyse the written words empowers
students to make informed decisions
and unlock new opportunities.
 ACADEMIC READING

Purpose Strategies Effective Reading

Why you are reading Pre-reading: Getting the most out of
will determine how you Previewing, Scanning your reading
read and Skimming
IDENTIFY YOUR PURPOSE FOR READING
Three main types of reading that people do:

Reading Reading Critical

for quick for Reading
reference Pleasure
To understand/
When you To relax, for analyse ideas
need to find fun, because and concepts
particular you like the
information writer’s style
Some other reasons for reading
might be:

• to locate names or numbers

• to find a description of an event
• to find details of an experiment
• to gain an overall impression
• to identify the main theme
• to identify the structure of an
argument
• to identify main points
• to evaluate the style
• to evaluate the author’s point of
view
Exercise 1: Complete the table with the correct purpose

FIRST QUESTIONS TO
UNDERSTAND THE
TEXT
Exercise 1: Complete the table with the correct purpose
READING
STRATEGIES
Since there is so much to
read, you need to read
selectively.

The pre-reading stage is an

important step in the
reading process.
 PRE-READING

● Previewing the text: ● Scanning: Not

Title, Author, actually read the
Publisher text, search for a
particular item/
important section
● Skimming: Only to
gain an overall
impression of a text
 SCANNING
You can scan the text when you
need to find specific information
such as a name or a date.

You do not actually read the text; instead

you search for a particular item. You can
also scan a text to identify the sections that
are important for you.
 SKIMMING
The technique involves reading the title,
the first paragraph, the first sentence of
each of the body paragraphs and the
last paragraph. Also look at any
graphics in the text.

Through skimming, you can decide if it is relevant and

you can prepare yourself for a more detailed reading
of the text.
Exercise 2: Read the description and decide which reading technique will
be best to use.

Scan Skim
1. You’ve downloaded an article from a
database but you are not sure whether it is
relevant or not.
2. You are searching for possible answers to
exam questions in your textbook.
3. You want to know the results of an
experiment in a scientific report.
4. You want an overview of an experiment in a
scientific report.
5. You have started a new unit and have just
bought the textbook.
Exercise 2: Read the description and decide which reading technique will
be best to use.

Scan Skim
1. You’ve downloaded an article from a
database but you are not sure whether it is
relevant or not.
2. You are searching for possible answers to
exam questions in your textbook.
3. You want to know the results of an
experiment in a scientific report.
4. You want an overview of an experiment in a
scientific report.
5. You have started a new unit and have just
bought the textbook.
 EFFECTIVE READING
To ensure you get the most out of your reading, you need to be
active while you read.

Asking Making notes Keeping a

questions vocabulary list

• Questions about the • Underline, highlight, • Write down any new

purpose – e.g. Why draw diagrams and or difficult words.
does the author write pictures, summarise • Look them up in the
the text? – be creative! dictionary
• Or the content – e.g. • Look for the key • Try to use them in a
main idea, theme, elements and details sentence
main points, evidence that appeal to you • Compile a glossary
ANNOTATION
 REFERENCE

About academic reading. (n.d.). University of New

England Academic Skills Office. https://aso-
resources.une.edu.au/academic-
reading/about-academic-reading/
THANKS!
Do you have any questions?

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