FAQ: How can I improve my reading skills or strategy?

There are several ways you can improve your reading skills or strategy. The following list is some example ways you can improve your reading:

• Take notes while reading
• Try reading aloud
• Re-read books and other materials to gain fluency
• Try breaking your reading into small chunks
• Connect what you're reading to your real life
• Get help from a tutor, peer, or adviser

One popular way to increase your reading comprehension and retention is by using the SQ4R strategy. SQ4R stands for: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review, & Reflect. This strategy involves readers Surveying the text, turning what you've read into Questions, Reading the answers to your questions, Reciting what you've read aloud, Reviewing what you've read, and Reflecting on what you've learned. For more information, see the using SQ4R guide from University of Guelph's McLaughlin Library, 

The library also has several books and eBooks in our collection which can help answer your questions about improving your reading skills or strategy. To find books, e-books, and articles on improving reading skills, please use the Multi-Search or the Online Library Catalog.

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite a YouTube video in your class assignments and projects.

Campus Students

To access academic support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.

Online Students

To access help with citation and more, visit Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:

• The Complete Guide to Using Academic Support via Brightspace This link opens in a new window
• Accessing Writing STEM Help This link opens in a new window