1. Know exactly what the reading assignment is, when it is due, and what you must do to complete it successfully.2. Gather any additional materials you may need to complete your assignment (notebook, handouts, reference books, etc.).
3. Decide how much time you will need to complete the assignment and plan accordingly.
4. Decide when and where (library, study hall, home) you will do your assignment; read in a quiet, comfortable place whenever possible.
5. If you have trouble doing your reading assignments as you should, try doing them at the same time each day. This will help you control the urge to wait until you are "in the mood" before starting.
6. Do not plan your study-reading when you are either especially hungry or tired.
7. Plan to take breaks only after completing major sections of each assignment and stick to that schedule.
8. Read and follow all directions carefully.
9. Know your textbooks and what they contain; use the indexes, glossaries, and footnotes.
10. Use a specific approach to your study-reading. Use the SQ3R approach, for example. Also, avoid the most common poor reading habits: head movement, pointing, regressions, and subvocalizing.
11. Preview each chapter or assignment before you begin reading to get an overall picture of what the reading selection is about; if there are questions, read them over before you begin reading. (See Studying Efficiently, SQ3R)
12. Use the titles, headings, and subheadings before and while you are reading to ask yourself questions about the material.
13. Try to identify the main idea of each paragraph as well as the important supporting details; notice words or phrases which are in italics or boldface.
14. Attempt to figure out the author's pattern of organization or development as you read.
15. Look closely at maps, charts, graphs and other illustrations to help you understand and remember important information.
16. Take good notes of everything you read-summarize, outline, star, underline, highlight, or whatever else works for you.
17. Use all of your senses when you read. Try to imagine what something looks, feels, and tastes like and draw illustrations in your notes.
18. Realize that some reading material is more difficult than other material; vary your reading speed and concentration accordingly.
19. Use sound, structure, and context clues to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words; look up any words which you cannot figure out and write them in your notebook.
20. Practice summarizing out loud what you have read whenever possible.
21. Try hard to reason out difficult material by rereading first. If this does not work, then ask someone for an explanation or find a simpler explanation in another book.
22. Make out note cards or flash cards of difficult material to study later.
23. Keep a list of things you want to check on or ask your teacher about.
24. Keep a separate list of things you feel may appear on tests.
25. Remember that reading is thinking and often requires a good deal of effort and concentration. Have a specific purpose and positive attitude each time you read.
