To read actively, it helps to think of reading consisting of a three-stage process: before you read, while you are reading, and after you have read.

Reading actively means making connections between your current knowledge and what you are reading, and asking yourself questions as you read.

As you read, you are having an ongoing internal dialogue with the author in which you reflect on, postulate, and form opinions about, examine, and assess the author’s arguments. This ongoing commentary and analysis helps you, the reader, to understand and focus on the text.

While you read, use a pencil or highlighter to mark key ideas and supporting examples or evidence. Choose four main ideas from the text and respond with your feelings, interpretations, and assessments.

Main Ideas in the Text:

1.

2.

3.

4.

My Responses:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Mote in-depth questions to ask while you read:

Start by getting familiar with the basic parts and structure of the text:

• What kind of text are you reading? An essay? A website?
• Every author has a purpose; find it.
• Who is the audience and how does the author try to appeal to them?
• What argument is the author making, and/or what question does the text try to answer?
• What evidence does the author provide?
• Are there any key terms the author defines? List them and their definitions here.

As you’re reading, make note of anything that especially catches your attention:

• Is there a fact or point that challenged your assumptions? Write it here.
• Any surprises? Write it here.
• Did the author make a point or argument that you disagree with? Write it here.
• Are there any inconsistencies in the text? List them here.
• Does the text contain anything (words, phrases, ideas) that you don’t understand? List them here.

After you’ve finished reading, read it again with thesr questions in mind:

• Are there things you didn’t notice the first time reading the text? List what you found here.
• Does the text leave some questions open-ended? List them here.
• Imagine the author is sitting across from you: What would you ask them about the text? Why?

If the text is visual in nature, try these extra tips:

• What first strikes you about the image?
• Who/what is the main subject of the visual?
• What colors/textures dominate the visual?
• What objects/people are in the background/foreground?
• Do words or numbers play any role in the visual?
• When was the visual created?