Reading may mean different things to students, and it is often assumed that every student knows how to read effectively. Some may not read a chapter if you do not assign anything to go along with it, or simply lack the motivation or attention span to read it without clear relevance. Others might need some guidance on why exactly they are reading something, and what it is they’re reading. Of course, there are students who can gauge what the professor is looking for, but it cannot always be assumed that the students know exactly what to do when assigned a reading, which can result in missed learning opportunities.

In this teaching tip, we cover multiple ways professors can change the way students understand and engage with assigned readings, promoting effective, efficient, and improved motivation while reading.

Be Transparent

Oftentimes, students struggle with reading because they do not truly know what they are reading, why they are reading it, what they are looking for, or what they are supposed to get out of it. Try these strategies to be more transparent on assignments.

Write a Reading Outcome or Expectation

Write a reading outcome as if you were assigning one for a project or course assignment. This gives students an idea of where to locate the information they are looking for and focus on the relevant areas for the class discussion. Doing so will help students be prepared for class or exams.

Examples of reading outcomes:

• Compare and contrast concepts
• Apply theories to studies covered in class
• Identify key scenes
• Connect to other stories read in class

Explain What, Why, and How

Take time in class to establish what you are asking them to read and why you are assigning it. Point out ways the book is designed to help them read effectively, such as headings and sections. You can also use the sections to divide classroom discussions, helping students put focus on where it’s needed. This will help students understand why you are assigning it, and the assignment won't feel so overwhelming as they can lock in on key parts.

Give Context

Helping students discover the context of a story will help them connect to what they already might know, thus helping them analyze and understand the text better. This might look like analyzing the author’s historical background, examining the language of the text, or establishing the intended audience. These contextual tips highlight why context is important in reading and understanding.

Active Reading

You won’t get anywhere by simply assigning a reading with nothing to help students interact and understand its content. Try these tips to promote active reading, which can result in deeper discussions and thorough analysis.

Practice reading skills together

Separate your students into groups and assign each one a section. Ask them to write a 25-word summary that can later be combined with others to create a full summary of a chapter. Students may see this as a challenging game, and it will provoke peer pressure on the students who haven’t done the reading. This exercise will get them to focus on the main ideas of the text and practice their reading skills together.

Use Annotations

Have students directly interact with the text by using annotations. Using online programs such as Hypothes.is or Perusall and assigning social annotation activities will help them collaborate with each other and see everyone’s ideas. This will help them visually draw connections between texts and zero in on takeaways. Afterwards, you can assign a summary or reflection, asking them to draw upon the annotations.

How to Read the Text Closely

The CCCC Position Statement lists many great ideas to help students truly learn how to read and understand its role. Instead of lecturing on the reading, promote engagement with the text by asking them to:

• Zero in on vocabulary, and how the meanings have changed throughout time
• Recognize organizational patterns and structures and how they relate to the text
• Have students read a passage multiple times to focus on the elements, sources, arguments, etc.
• Write passages analyzing elements such as the tone, voice, punctuation, and repetition
• Write reflections in reader response journals or discussion boards
• Create visual diagrams to visually make connections in the reading
• Have students list difficulties they come across (vocabulary, allusions, jargon, etc.), and have them locate one resource that would help them understand it better
• Encourage students to think about how the text and its meanings might prove useful for future jobs or courses
• Teach the SIFT method:
• Stop and see if the sources and the claims are identifiable
• Investigate the source so we know what we’re reading and if it’s worth our time
• Find other coverage about what others have said about the reading, and if their points align
• Trace ideas back to the source and add in the context that the internet strips away

Provide Resources

Direct your students to OU resources that may assist them in their writing.

• The Academic Success Center provides tutoring, coaching, and study rooms.
• Libraries can be used by staff to help identify literary concepts, and can help students develop strong reading skills and understand sources. Oakland University’s Kresge Library offers many resources to assist students’ needs, such as a microcourse on reading scholarly articles.
• Writing Centers are specifically trained to support reading and writing work. The OU Writing Center provides well-trained consultants to assist writers with drafts, ideas, and skill development.
• Our Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning hold events, provide teaching tips, and assist faculty and students with any teaching and learning needs.

Conclusion

Reading effectively doesn't just happen automatically; it needs to be taught and enforced. When students don’t know how to think critically, it can result in lost learning opportunities. If they do not know how to read for evidence, analyze passages, connect ideas, etc., they miss the ability to interpret meanings and be fully engaged with the text, resulting in missed pieces of valuable information and skills. By utilizing these strategies, students will be encouraged to interact directly with the text and think more deeply about the key concepts at hand, thus creating better readers.