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This short Library video will show you how to read a book
for university-level research- based assignments.
When selecting a book consider the following:
What information do I need for my assignment?
How does this book relate to my research topic?
What new information do I hope to learn or understand by reading all or parts of this book?
Now evaluate the book. Ask yourself:
What is its purpose? Who is its intended audience?
Look for cues that this is indeed a scholarly text and not a popular text. If unsure ask your librarian.
Remember: We do not read scholarly texts cover-to-cover. Skimming a book first can help
you decide which parts of the book to read in depth and which parts of the book to focus less on.
Anatomy of a book: Strategic readers can use certain parts of a book that signal
important or relevant information like the table of contents, back cover, inside cover,
and forward or introduction. These areas tell us whether this book will meet our needs.
The back of a book contains the index, an alphabetical list
of terms, names, and subjects complete with corresponding page numbers.
Finally, references and end notes not only help us evaluate the quality of the book’s supporting
evidence but they can also lead us to additional sources.
Skimming: After you've determined which parts of the book to focus on
skim those selected parts to help you decide what you will need to read more thoroughly later.
Remember that few minutes of preliminary skimming can help you save time in the long run.
When you skim pay special attention to:
Chapter titles, headings and subheadings; the introductions and conclusions
of each section or chapter; charts, diagrams and graphs
the first and last sentences of each paragraph.
Note taking: thinking critically, we take notes to visit later noting things like:
Underlying assumptions, beliefs or values; arguments and conclusions
and evidence presented. Taking notes and recording page numbers
of important points saves us having to re-read later for potentially useful passages.
Need help? Ask Us. Chat, E-mail, phone, or drop by .
This concludes the library video on how to read a book.