The Reading Environment

The Reading Environment

There are many things which can interfere with effective reading. Some of these involve common sense, and can be easily changed. Others are more subtle, and may require long and patient effort if they are to be overcome. Obviously, we should make the simple changes first, since these will give the greatest improvement with the least effort.

Something which most people can control rather easily is their reading environment. A poor physical setting can make reading far more difficult than it has to be, and yet a little planning can get around most of the harmful elements you may find. It is a question of motivation. We usually can do what we really want to do!

·         Lighting. Often it is helpful to do your  reading- the bulk of it, at least- in the same place. Check the lighting there. Is it adequate? You should be able to see the page without strain. Does the light create a glare, or are you in the habit of reading in the direct sunlight? Either extreme-too much light or too little- can cause strain and fatigue, and lower your reading efficiency.

·         Ventilation. Stuffy rooms put you to sleep. You should have plenty of fresh air(but not a draft) and the temperature should be fairly cool. Otherwise, you'll find yourself going to sleep over the most exciting books.

·         Reading Position. Your position should be neither too comfortable nor too uncomfortable. The first condition puts you right back to sleep again. In fact, some people "read themselves to sleep" in bed every night- which is fine if sleep, rather than reading, is what you're after. An uncomfortable position can create a strain, however subtle, which results in fatigue.

·         Focal Distance. Hold your book at an angle and keep it about 18 inches from your eyes. Remember: Long arms are not a substitute for corrective lenses. If you need glasses, wear them while you read. Persistent fatigue while studying or reading might be Nature's way of telling you that glasses are needed. Have an optometrist check your close-range vision.

·         Distractions. Most important, what about distractions you can see and hear? No matter what you think, tests show that you can only pay attention to one thing at a time. If you sit near a door or window, every movement will claim your attention. If you have a radio or record player going, your concentration may continually wander from book to sound. And reading with the television going combines the worst of all possible distractions.

Give yourself every break. If you are going to read, prepare things so you can read unhindered. If there is something more important, put the book aside. There are times to read and, just as definitely, there are times when reading must give way to other considerations.

©Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001

TYPES OF READING

RECREATIONAL

                               NOVELS                                                FACTUAL

	MYSTERY ADVENTURE SPY WAR

KEEPING UP

NEWSPAPERS                               MAGAZINES                                    JOURNALS

STUDY

COLLEGE GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL

TEXTBOOKS

PURPOSES OF THE READER

·         PASS TIME

·         GATHER INFORMATION

·         MASTER A SUBJECT

©Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001

Reading Your Textbooks Effectively and Efficiently

Reading Your Textbooks Effectively and Efficiently

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 prescribe 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.

The documents on this page are provided for downloading in Microsoft Word and/or Microsoft Excel format. You will need to have Microsoft Office 97/98, or later, to read and print them.

Reading Myths

Some common reading myths:

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

The following documents explain in more detail some misconceptions about reading:

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

How to Read Your Texts: The SQ3R Method of Reading

One commonly used approach to reading, which works well for texts, is the Survey, Question, Read, Review and Recite (SQ3R) Method. The main steps are as follows:

• Survey - before you read, scan the titles, headings, pictures and chapter summaries
• Question - actively ask yourself questions as you read such as, what are the key topics in this section/chapter?
• Read - read for comprehension, locate concepts and facts, record and reduce information in the margins
• Review - practice and rehearse the main concepts, reflect on key learnings, anticipate exam questions
• Recite - transfer information to long term memory

For more information on how to use the SQ3R method and other reading techniques, download one of the handouts below:

• 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

Where you read is a very important aspect of how you read. Be sure that you read in a place that is quiet, has good lighting and allows you to stay alert. For more suggestions, download the following handout:

• The Reading Environment (28K Word)

Miniversity Course

Improving Reading Speed and Comprehension Speed Reading

Contact Collis Miniversity for more information.

The Pivotal Words

The Pivotal Words

©Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001

No words are as helpful while reading as the prepositions and conjunctions that guide your mind along the pathways of the author's ideas. A word like furthermore says, "Keep going!" However says, "Easy!" Master these words and phrases and you will almost immediately become a better reader, for they will whisper directions in your inner ear.

Additive words

          These say, "Here's more of the same coming up. It's just as important as what we have already said."

                   also                      further                           moreover

                   and                      furthermore                  too

                   besides               in addition

Equivalent words

          They say, "It does what I have just said, but it does this too."

                   as well as            at the same time similarly

                   Equally important         likewise

Amplification words

          The author is saying, "I want to be sure that you understand my idea; so here's a specific instance."

                   for example(e.g.)         specifically                   as

                   for instance                  such as               like

Alternative words

          These point out, "Sometimes there is a choice; other times there isn't."

                   either/or               other than

                   neither/nor          otherwise

Repetitive words

          They say, "I said it once, but I'm going to say it again in case you missed it the first time."

                   again                             in other words

                   to repeat              that is(i.e.)

Contrast and change words

          "So far I've given you only one side of the story; now let's take a look at the other side."

                   but                       on the contrary   still

                   Conversely         (opposite) on the other hand        though      

                   despite                          instead of            yet

                   however              rather than          regardless

                   nevertheless                even though                 whereas(comparison with the fact)

                   in spite of            notwithstanding

Cause and effect words

          "All this has happened; now I'll tell you why."

                   accordingly                   since                    then

                   because              so                         thus

                   consequently               hence                            therefore

                   for this reason

Qualifying words

          These say, "Here is what we can expect. These are the conditions we are working under."

                   if                           although              unless

                   providing             whenever           

Concession words

          They say, "Okay! We agree on this much."

                   accepting the data       granted that                  of course

Emphasizing words

          They say, "Wake up and take notice!"

                   above all             more important   indeed

Order words

          The author is saying, "You keep your mind on reading: I'll keep the numbers straight."

                   finally                            second                          then

                   first                       next                     last

Time words      

          "Let's keep the record straight on who said what and especially when."

                   afterwards           meanwhile          now

                   before                           subsequently               presently  

                   formerly               ultimately             previously

                   later

Summarizing words

          These say, "We've said many things so far. Let's stop here and pull them together."

                   for these reasons        in brief

                   in conclusion                to sum up

©Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001