Reading Strategies
Reading Apprenticeship

When reading to learn one needs to attack the text in a different manner than reading for
pleasure. Comprehension is the focal point of the process. The text has something to say
and teach; it is up to the reader to apply the proper strategies to learn that information.

Reading to learn requires seven specific steps that establish a strategy for success. Each
step needs to be carefully integrated into the studying process until it becomes second
nature. This takes time. The analogy that can be applied to this is training for a sport. At the
beginning of the season the fundamentals must be learned and reinforced to achieve a
higher proficiency of play later in the season. Reading to learn requires the same
commitment to practice. Students are asked to apply these strategies over the course of an
entire term before making an assessment that it does or doesn’t work.

Below is a brief description of the seven steps that are required. At the bottom of the page
is a link to a reading survey sheet that specifically describes the components of each of the
seven steps. If you are struggling with reading or simply want to assess your reading
process, print the survey sheet and answer the questions as honestly as you can. If you
have more than a few blanks in each section this indicates that you may not have fully
implemented that step into your reading process. For a better evaluation bring the
completed survey to your instructor.

Environment: Are you in an environment that is conducive to studying? The work station
needs to be well lit and possess proper desk and chair ergonomics. The environment
should also be free of distractions that can break your concentration. This is also the time
to collect all the materials you will need rather than stopping once you begin reading.

Mindset: Are you in the proper frame of mind to begin studying? Do you know why you are
reading the text? It is imperative that you have a game plan before you begin reading. This
also includes reviewing what strategies you have for attacking the reading so that when you
encounter an obstacle to comprehension the correct strategy is applied.

Pre-Reading: This is the initial examination of the reading. One should be looking at all the
associated material around the text including introductions, sidebars, illustrations,
questions at the end of the reading, study guide questions, and any other material
accompanying the main text.

Reading: This is the stage of information intake. The reading stage is when you focus on
the presentation of information and utilize strategies to ensure that you have carefully
dissected the text. The strategies applied at this stage have a twofold purpose. First, they
provide a process to understand the content as you read. Second, they provide a road map
to review the text at a later time. The ability to re-examine the reading at a later time
becomes important to the Steps 6 and 7.

Post-Reading: This is the first review stage that assesses how well you have constructed
the road map of the reading. This step should reinforce the main points of the text, solidify
your overall comprehension of the material, and allow you to answer the questions
associated with the reading.

Study Group: Discussion and debate is an effective way to check for understanding,
develop connections to other subject matter, practice verbalizing ideas, and develop an
opinion regarding the reading. But a study group is only effective if all participants have
completed the first five steps. If a group member is present only to glean answers from the
rest of the group the remaining members may need to drop that person. To help you with
the Study Group process use this Cheat Sheet to conduct your sessions.

In Class: The ultimate goal of the previous steps is to translate reading into usable
knowledge inside the classroom. One can determine the effectiveness of the reading to
learn process by examining your ability to follow, and participate, in discussions, and
ultimately, score well on quizzes and exams.


Reading Survey: take the reading survey to assess your reading strategy