- Plan your reading time. Check the Assignment Calculator and block out sufficient time each day. Work through the list of readings you have compiled and adjust your reading schedule if necessary.
- While reading, keep your topic in mind: changes, developments, history etc. Find alternative perspectives.
- Check the table of contents and index, any abstracts, introductions or conclusion. Locate the most useful material.
- Evaluate your sources. Who is the author? Was the author mentioned in other publications? When, and by whom, was it published? If it is an Internet site, what sources are cited? When was it last updated?
- Check the quality of the content. Is it popular or scholarly? Does it come directly from research? Does it refer to a few or many documents and articles and how recent are they? Are facts or opinions presented? Does the bibliography reflect substantial research? Has some editorial process reviewed the content?
- Take notes as you read. Keep your notes simple, methodical and organized. Group the content under headings, using bullet points, highlighter pens on your own material or post-it notes, colour-coding or a numerical system. Scribble in the margins of your print-outs. Keep track of your thoughts. Sometimes a visual diagram of the developments on a large sheet of paper can help.
- Use your own words. Note the source of your ideas.