Study Better by Reading for Specific Purposes

Not all reading is alike. It's important to adjust your reading for its specific purposes. If you are looking for certain information, you can skim quickly until you find it. 

If you need to analyze an author's style or take a position on a controversial issue, you will need to read critically. You'll want to concentrate and pay close attention to the implications of what you read.

Adjust your reading speed and focus
based on your purpose for reading

• Are you looking for specific information? Know exactly what you’re looking for. Scan the table of contents, index, and subheadings for the chapters or sections that can give it to you. 

• Then skim those sections until you find what you need. Pay special attention to the headings and first paragraphs. They can alert you to the main points in each section.

• Are you trying to understand a subject or an author? Do you need to write an essay or to form your own opinions for a discussion, debate, or essay? 

Read critically, considering the author’s point of view and possible biases.

Is he or she an authority on the subject? What is the source of the information? Does the author give evidence to back up his or her claims? Is there missing or distorted information? Notice the author’s emphasis, choice of words, and imagery.

• Are you studying to prepare for a test? Quickly review the content you are expected to know. You can skip or skim material you are familiar with. Concentrate on the areas you don’t understand as well. Read with care, stopping often to review and summarize the new information.

• Are you taking a reading test? Read each question twice. (It helps many people to read all the questions once even before reading the selection.) Focus on finding the best answer to that question in the selection. Eliminate any “answers” that don’t apply to it. 

• Are you reading for pleasure, personal interest, and English fluency? Choose a text that isn’t too difficult, so you won’t have to struggle to understand. Then relax and enjoy it! 

Don’t interrupt the flow to look up words unless they are essential to understanding. You will learn new words even without looking them up if you read them several times. (This happens often when you read several stories or articles with the same theme.)

Now that you know the value of adjusting your reading for specific purposes, check out How to Improve Reading Skills. It explains more about skimming and scanning, using context clues, and making inferences.

Are you ready to practice your reading skills? Try the exercises in the reading section of Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension.

Home> Reading Comprehension Skills and Strategies >  How to Improve reading Skills > Reading for Specific Purposes

---

Didn't find what you needed? Explain what you want in the search box below. (For example, cognates, past tense practice, or 'get along with.') Click to see the related pages on EnglishHints.

site search by freefind	advanced