2. Reading Strategies
Skimming for gist- move eyes quickly
across the page
Scanning for details- move eyes diagonally
up and down looking for specific words,
phrases or information
Highlighting and underlining- do not be
afraid to write and make notes on texts.
This is what they are for and is the best
way of interrogating them. Once you find a
detail or piece of text you are looking for,
mark it. All close reading texts (and
question papers) should be annotated, and
drawn / written all over.
3. Reading Strategies
Predicting: Look for clues- what
type of text is it? Where is it
from? Who is it aimed at? How
can you tell? What is its
purpose? How does the opening
statement set up the reader for
what is to come next? Use
information like this to help you
get a quick grip on new texts.
4. Reading Strategies
Sequencing: events will not
necessarily be told in order- use
numbers, lines etc to help you
be clear what is happening.
Summarising: Read for gist.
What are the main points? This
provides an overview for more
detailed reading.
5. Reading Strategies
Inferring: reading between the lines.
What is said, is often not said, but
implied.
Using the context: be aware of what
a piece is about and where words lie.
This will provide clues as to what it
is actually about.
Extend your vocabulary: use a
dictionary and build a glossary of
new terms. Use them- in your own
essays across the school.
6. Reading Strategies
Deconstruction and derivatives.
Words are built from prefixes,
suffixes and roots. Use clues like
this to help you understand new
vocabulary.
Questioning: ask your self questions-
so if…then …? Writing questions
about a new text is the best way to
get a good grip of it because you
have to understand it and it
highlights the tricky bits
7. Reading Strategies
Clarifying: Check it makes sense.
Read back and forward to make sure
you understand all the links and that
the ideas in your head fit with what is
on the paper
Visualising: use diagrams or
images. Transforming a text into
notes and diagrams means
understanding the writer’s message
and the relationships of ideas to
each other. It can also make sense
of things in your own head.
