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How to read academic evidence
You will need to read lots of different types of evidence during your degree, which will include a range of texts such as academic monographs (books), journal articles, reports, and more. This guide provides strategies for reading this evidence.
The most important thing to remember is that academic material is NOT meant to be read from beginning to end.
Start with these three approches: GUT, INDEX and SKIM
Gut
Gut
Gutting a text is a way to quickly identify relevant material. To gut a text:
read the abstract (at the top of a journal article) or blurb (on the back of the book). Does it seem relevant? If not: don't waste your time going any further.
use the contents page to find key words or phrases that are relevant to your assignment question or topic. Make note of relevant chapters or sub-sections.
Index
Index
Use the index of a book (a list of topics mentioned, at the end of the book):
Scan the index to find relevant words, phrases or names.
Make a note of the key phrases and pages in order to assist you with the next step: skimming.
Skim
Skim
Skimming is a way to read quickly. To skim:
look over the text for words or phrases that jump out to you. This is not about understanding the text, just about identifying what sections are relevant to you.
read the introduction and conclusion of the text, (or of the relevant sections you identified by gutting it). The start and end of chapters will indicate whether you need to close read the chapter.
Close reading
Once you have started by GUTTING, using the INDEX and SKIMMING, you should know whether the academic text contains evidence that is RELIABLE and is it RELEVANT to your assignment. These techniques should also have given you a list of pages, or key sections of the academic text that you need to take a closer look at. That is where CLOSE READING comes in.
What is close reading?
What is close reading?
Close reading is the in-depth reading of certain sections or paragraphs of an academic text.
It means you will spend time on the section. You wil read and re-read it. Look up words, concepts and references. Make notes.
When to close read?
When to close read?
Identify sections to close read by use the GUT, SKIM, INDEX method above. This will help you identify relevant and useful sections of an academic text.
It is these relevant sections that you should close read.
Why to close read?
Why to close read?
Close reading is about understanding the text.
It should give you time to think about how you can use it as evidence in your assignments. It means you can start to respond to and analyse the text.
A close reading example: journal articles.
Journal articles are incredibly useful but can be challenging. Watch this guide to understand what a journal article is, how to read them and take useful notes:
Tips for reading academic texts
Take frequent breaks - most people can only usefully concentrate for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Pause occassionally - take time to think through what you are reading.
Know why you are reading something, and what you want to get out of it.
Tips for reading academic texts
Work with other students - talking through your reading and ideas will help.
Look up unfamiliar words or concepts - and don't be worried about asking what things mean in your sessions.
You can keep reading forever: keep questioning whether you've read enough for now.
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