Academic Reading

Academic reading helps you understand complex ideas and research. It’s different from casual reading because it requires thinking deeply about the material, recognising important points, and questioning what is being said.

Over time, academic reading has changed with new research methods and digital resources. There are different types of materials like books, research papers, and reports that can be read using different approaches depending on the content. Learning how to read academically makes it easier to understand difficult topics, find reliable information, and take part in meaningful discussions.

Together with note-taking, academic reading plays a central role in academic success. It will be one of the central ways in which you gain knowledge and information for your course and is vital for all written assignments for all disciplines while you're at university. You’re likely to spend more time reading than in the classroom or lectures, so it’s important to make sure you’re approaching your reading in an effective way.

A significant portion of your learning comes from exploring resources like books, journals, and online articles independently. The ideas and insights you gain from reading build your understanding and your arguments in seminars, essays, and presentations. That’s why having an organised approach to reading and efficient note-making is essential which can boost comprehension and can save you valuable time throughout your studies.

We generally read to: 

1. Generate/explore/gain ideas for essays, assignments and dissertation.
2. Expand knowledge and understanding of a subject.
3. Provide evidence and support arguments through citations.
4. Contextualize views - relate your views to what others have said.
5. Broaden perspectives - understand different viewpoints.
6. Informed criticism - critique others’ work

Always consider your purpose for reading. You don't want to waste time reading irrelevant material. You may need to get an overview of a subject, prepare for a particular lecture or seminar and/or find information for a written assignment. Academic reading means reading with a purpose, often to learn, understand, analyse, or respond to complex texts like journal articles, textbooks, or reports. It matters because it helps you understand complex ideas, prepares you for writing essays and reports, and builds your critical thinking skills. 

You don’t need to read everything. It’s more about reading smart than reading more. Speed isn’t always better. Sometimes slower, careful reading helps more. Once you're clear what your purpose is, you can select the most appropriate reading material: 

• Use the reading list and tutor recommendations.  
• Select reading that relates to the assignment. 
• Consider whether your reading material is current and/or reliable.
• Do you need an overview or an in-depth analysis?  Wider reading of core texts will provide an overview to help understand key terms and the assignment, whereas focused reading from journals, for example, can provide depth and detail for an assignment. 

How much time should I spend reading?

There's no absolute rule about this, but if you consider that an average 15 credit module at 1st year level includes 150 hours of study, but only 15 hours of face-to-face teaching, this should give you an idea of how much time you need to be spending studying outside the classroom. In general, you will be expected to spend 9 hours out of class for every hour in class, either reading or preparing for assignments.

Reading academically means thinking actively, not just absorbing information. Ask good questions such as: Is the evidence strong? Are there other viewpoints? Does this support or challenge what I already know? Then connect ideas as you go along: compare across texts, and link to what you learned in class or from other sources. Reading critically is the the process of analysing, evaluating, and interpreting a text to understand its deeper meaning and assess its validity. It goes beyond comprehension; it’s a dynamic process of actively engaging with a text, questioning, and analysing its meaning and purpose. It involves assessing the author’s intent (What is the author’s goal?), the audience’s perspective (Who is the intended audience, and how does this influence the content?), the cultural or historical context in which the text was created (How does the text reflect its time or place?), and the connection with other texts (How does this text relate to broader themes or other works?)

To be critical:

Question the purpose, assumptions, and implications of the text  

Identify the line of argument in the text, the stance of the author  

Evaluate the strength or value of the argument. What evidence is used to support the argument?  Is it reliable/valid?  

Compare with other arguments or stances.   

Reflect. Be aware of your reaction to what you are reading.