Resources > Reading skills
As academic writing is based upon background reading, an important skills is to be able to read efficiently. Generally speaking, there are four ways in which information can be read:
- Scanning
- Skimming
- Intensive
- Extensive
Skimming and Scanning are the strategies you will mostly use when reading in relation to academic research. However, in a number of instances you will need to read intensively to ensure you fully understand a given concept or theory. Moreover, to become a better reader — and to improve your academic writing abilities — you will need to read extensively on the subject of your chosen Major.
Scanning
Scanning is used when we need to find a particular piece of information. You basically run your eyes over the text and look specifically for the particular piece of information you need. As with skimming, you do not need to understand every word when you scan read — you are often looking to find “key” words only. In real life, you would normally scan read a timetable to find the information relevant to you or your course.
Skimming
Skimming is used when we want to understand the main idea. You basically run your eyes over the text and gather the important information. You do not need to understand every word when you skim read and, you do not actually need to read every word either. For example, when you are reading a newspaper article in Arabic you are likely to skim read, to get the general news.
Intensive reading
Intensive reading is different from the other types of reading. With this type of reading it is important to understand each word and fact. It is basically accurate reading used for detailed understanding. We usually use intensive reading on shorter texts — or single paragraphs — to gain specific information (the answer to a specific question).
Extensive reading
Extensive reading is usually used for longer texts for pleasure. t is not necessary to understand every word; you are reading for enjoyment. This type of reading will help improve your reading speed. Therefore, try and read articles on subjects in English that are linked to your own areas of interest.
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Books worth considering
Literary analysis
George Orwell’s “1984”
Source: Sparknotes. (2010). 1984. Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/sparknotes/video/1984
Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
Source: Sparknotes. (2010). Brave New World. Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/bravenew/
Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”
Source: Sparknotes. (2010). Heart of Darkness. Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/heart-of-darkness
John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”
Source: Sparknotes. (2010). Of Mice and Men. Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/
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Authentic sources
The study materials used by Aquascript are based upon “authentic” source texts, including ones from the following publications:
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The Independent is a British newspaper that is now only published online. It was established in 1986 to be a politically independent newspaper. The paper took a strong editorial position against the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, the Iraq War, and aspects of US and UK foreign policy related to the War on Terrorism following the 11 September attacks. It has also taken strong positions on environmental issues, campaigned against the introduction of compulsorary ID cards, and campaigned against the restriction of mass immigration to the UK.
The Guardian is a British daily newspaper. The paper’s readership is generally on the mainstream left of British political opinion and, coupled with the paper’s reputation as a platform for liberal and left-wing opinion, the term “Guardian reader” is sometimes used in an often (but not always) pejorative way to descrobe such left-leaning political sentiments.
The Financial Times is an daily newspaper based in London famed for the pink paper that it is printed on. It was founded in 1888 and focuses on business and economic news.
The Economist is an English-language weekly magazine based in London which has been in print since 1843. The magazine advocates economic liberalism (e.g., supporting globalisation and free immigration) and cultural liberalism (e.g., supporting legal recognition for same-sex marriage and drug liberalisation).
New Scientist is a British weekly magazine that covers all aspects of science and technology. It has been in print since 1956.
Vox.com is an American news and opinion website that began publishing in 2014. It focuses on “explanatory journalism,” and mostly appeals to a liberal-leaning audiance.
Nature is a British multidisciplinary scientific journal that began publishing in 1869. It is currently said to be the world’s most cited scientific journal.
The New Statesman is a British political and cultural magazine which started operations in 1913. Politically, it is left-leaning and considers itself to be a liberal, sceptical political weekly.
Scientific American is a long-running popular science magazine. Many famous scientists, including Albert Einstein, have contributed articles to it. Indeed, more than 150 Nobel laureates have published their findings in this magazine.
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire &c. It is has been in print since 1925. It is well known for its commentaries on popular culture and eccentric Americana, its attention to modern fiction by the inclusion of short stories and literary reviews as well as its journalism on politics and social issues.
The Intercept is an online news publication dedicated to what it describes as “adversarial journalism”. The Intercept also publishes two podcasts: Intercepted and Deconstructed.
The New York Times is an American newspaper that has been in print since 1851> As of 2018, it had won 125 Pulitzer Prizes, more than any other newspaper, and ranked 2nd in the USA and 17th globally in terms of circulation.
Fast Company is a monthly American business magazine published in print and online that focuses on technology, business, and design. It has been publishing eight print issues per year since 1995.
Gulf News was first published in 1978. It is one of several United Arab Emirates based English-language daily newspapers. Currently, it is published in Berliner format.1
Khaleej Times is a daily English language newspaper published in United Arab Emirates.
The Times, which began publishing in 1785, is a British daily based in London. For much of that time it is considered to have been an integral and important part of Great Britain’s political structure.
The Herald is a Scottish broadsheet newspaper founded in 1783 and, as such, is the longest running ‘national’ newspaper in the world.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster. It is headquartered in London and it is the world’s oldest national broadcasting organisation.
Wikipedia is, despite its detractors, a vital source of knowledge that is provided for free without commercial interests at heart. It is run by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation which provides the essential infrastructure for free knowledge. The vision is to create a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge.
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