TE TARI ĀWHINA

The Learning Development Centre

Efficient Reading

What is reading?

Reading is the understanding,

interpretation and evaluation of a
written message, by using the knowledge gained
from life experience. The general purpose of reading is to increase or improve
understanding. When understanding breaks down, reading has not actually occurred. As
we read we are interpreting the words of the author. If our vocabulary is inadequate
we will not be able to understand the author's message because we do not understand
the words used in the text. The reader may know what all the words mean individually,
but be unable to understand the author's message. Reasons why this can happen may be
because the reader:
• does not understand the background context of the message e.g. someone
who is not familiar with Aotearoa New Zealand history might not understand
a reference to "the Treaty" although s/he understands what a treaty is
• might find it difficult to understand the sentences because they are linked
together in an unusual way or because they are very long
• might find the layout of the text confusing

What should we do to ensure that we read

efficiently?

™ Understand why you are reading a particular text. Are you preparing for a lecture
or a tutorial? Are you researching an assignment or essay or preparing for exams?
Do you need to gain an overview of a topic or to find specific information? Do you
need to evaluate the material?

™ Know what you want to get from the passage. Ask yourself the question “What do I
expect to learn from this passage?” Ask yourself specific questions. For instance if
you are reading a chapter headed The effect of heredity and the environment on
humans the kind of questions you should be able to answer after your reading would

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 be “What does the author understand by the word heredity? What does the author
understand by the word environment?” If your reading has been successful you will
be able to formulate in your own words what the author thinks the effect of the
environment and heredity is on people.

™ Pre-read the material to give you an outline of what it is all about.

In an article:
♦ read the title and the date which should give you the
article's main idea and how recent the information is
♦ read the abstract (the summary at the top of the
article)
♦ read the first paragraph
♦ read all the headings
♦ look at any diagrams/ graphs/ charts or
illustrations
♦ read the conclusion

In a book:
♦ note any goals or objectives in the preface or introduction
♦ read the introductory paragraph
♦ read the chapter heading and the sub headings
♦ look at diagrams/ graphs/ charts or illustrations
♦ read the first couple of sentences under the main headings
♦ read the summary or conclusion

Now start reading! If you find that the theory and/or key concepts are difficult to
follow, refer to the glossary at the back of the book (an alphabetical list of terms used
in the book and their definitions). However, if there is no glossary or it is not very
helpful, most disciplines have very good textbooks explaining terminology and concepts.
You might want to make your own glossary of new and unfamiliar expressions as you
encounter them in your readings and lectures.

Ensure that you understand what you are reading. Take it slowly and re-read if you don’t
understand. Saying “I’m going to read 100 pages before I go to bed” is not a good idea
if you are tired, because you won’t be able to absorb any information. It is more
productive to sleep and wake earlier to continue reading.
Make notes as you read or draw diagrams, charts, tables – anything that helps you to
understand the material.

Ask your lecturers and Te Tari Āwhina staff for help and discuss readings with your
friends. If we take time to discuss topics or concepts they will become clearer and
more understandable in our minds.

Happy reading!

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Check out these books in the Self Access Learning Lab to help improve your
reading skills:

Abraham, P., & MacKey, D. (1997) Contact USA: A reading and vocabulary text. USA: Prentice
Hall Regents.
Greenall, S., & Swan, M. (1986). Effective Reading: Reading skills for advanced students.
Australia: Cambridge University Press.
McGovern, D. (1994). Reading: English for academic study series. Hertfordshire: Prentice Hall
International.
Msoback, G., & Mosback, V. (1999). Practical Faster Reading: A course in reading and vocabulary
for upper-intermediate and more advanced students. Australia: Cambridge University Press.
Pakenham, K.J. (1998). Making Connections: An interactive approach to academic reading.
Australia: Cambridge University Press.
Widdows, S., & Voller, P. (1996). Open Minds: Exploring global issues through reading and
discussion. USA: The University of Michigan Press.

Check out these web sites to help you with your Reading Skills.
http://english-zone.com/reading/index.html.
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/index.htm
http://www.comenius.com/fables/index.tpl
http://www.comenius.com/index.tpl
http://www.nytimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/learning
http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/archives.html
http://www.msnbc.com/local/pencilnews/default.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/index.shtml
http://english.ttu.edu/uwc/rbreading.html – Reading Strategies

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Te Tari Āwhina’s Free Services - Nau mai, haere mai
Drop in to meet our skilled and helpful team of administrators and lecturers.

Services include:

♦ Academic KEYS Programmes

− Keys to Study Success, Keys to Effective Groupwork Success, Keys to Oral Presentation Success, Keys
to Postgraduate Writing Success, Keys to Academic Writing Success, Keys New to New Zealand
Success, Keys to MS Powerpoint Success, Keys to MS Word Success, Keys to Algebra Success, Keys
to Numeracy and Calculator Success, Keys to Statistics Success, Keys to Academic Success for
Disabled Students
♦ One-to-one tuition
♦ Academic coaching
♦ Te reo Māori tuition
♦ Academic support for Pasifika
♦ English language support
♦ Maths & numeracy tuition
♦ Academic support for Learning Disabled
♦ Postgraduate academic support
♦ Self Access Learning Lab, Level 4, Wellesley Library (Open Library Hours)
♦ Self Access Learning Lab, Level 1, Akoranga Library (Open Library Hours)

Drop-In Centres Mon – Fri:

♦ Wellesley Campus – WA406 11.00am -1.00pm

♦ Akoranga Campus - AS215 11.00-1.00pm

♦ Self Access Learning Lab, AL114a 2:00pm – 4:00pm (Monday – Thursday)
♦ Self Access Learning Lab, Level 4, Wellesley Library 9.00-11.00am

Phone contact: 921 9840 or 921 9999 ext 8526

Email: awhina@aut.ac.nz or www.tetariawhina.info

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