Why are you reading?
You can't read everything. Be selective. What do you need to know or find out?
It may help to think. 'I am going to read this because I want to ... (do some background reading, understand a theory, research a topic, prepare for a seminar, find some specific date, see if there is a different viewpoint)'.
Decide:
Then, the purpose for reading will determine how you read the text, the time you need to spend and the level of detail you need to read.
Adapted from Burns and Sinfield (2008).
This will depend on what you need to know.
Is it relevant and useful? You may need to read in detail and make notes
Do you just need to get an overview, understand the main ideas or decide if the text is worth reading? You may just need to skim read. To do this use titles, headings, sub-headings, the first sentence of each paragraph and summaries of chapters to get a 'birds eye view' of the text.
For key points, facts, data and specific information. You may just need to scan the text. To do this look quickly over the page to find the key words, phrases, facts or specific information that you need. Use titles, headings and subheadings to guide you. Stop when you find what you want and read in detail.
You may need to use a combination of techniques e.g. skim the text to see if it might be useful, scan the text for a key point and read that section carefully for detail.
Burns,Tom and Sandra Sinfield. 2008. Essential Skills:The Complete Guide to Sucess at University. 4th Ed. London:SAGE
