You already use a range of reading styles in everyday situations. The normal reading style that you might use for reading a novel is to read in detail, focusing on every word in sequence from start to finish. If it is a magazine you are reading, you might flick through the pages to see which articles are of interest. When you look in a telephone directory for a particular name, you purposefully ignore all other entries and focus your attention on spotting the name you want. These everyday reading skills can be applied to your studies.

Scanning

Scanning is the technique you might use when reading a telephone directory. You pass your vision speedily over a section of text in order to find particular words or phrases that are relevant to your current task.

You can scan:

• The introduction or preface of a text
• The first or last paragraphs of chapters
• The concluding or summarising chapter of a text
• The book index

Skimming

Skimming is the process of speedy reading for general meaning. Let your eyes skip over sentences or phrases which contain detail. Concentrate on identifying the central or main points. Use this technique to: 

• Pre-view a selection of text prior to detailed reading
• Refresh your understanding of a selection of text following detailed reading

Once you have selected useful information, you can begin to read in detail. Note-taking techniques provide a useful aid to reading.

These techniques encourage an active engagement with the text as well as providing you with a useful record of your reading. Avoid passively reading large amounts of text as it is not an effective use of your time. Always use a note-taking technique to increase your levels of concentration and understanding.

One of the most effective reading techniques is known as SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review). It can be applied to any document. Use the technique in relation to your assignment instructions.

SQ3R is designed to help you read faster and retain more. It might seem like it takes more time to use the SQ3R method, but once you master the process you'll find you will remember more and have to reread less often. 

Make SQ3R a habit 

At first, going through all 5 steps may feel time-consuming. However, the more you use it, the less you'll have to think about the process. 

To turn this reading technique into a habit, use it each time you need to read something in detail. At first, allow extra time to get into the habit of using the five steps. Take any opportunity to discuss what you've learned, forgotten, or not understood, with classmates. 

Test the credibility, logic, and emotional impact of what you have read. Do not just accept everything as truth. The author will make an argument for an idea, opinion, and belief, but the author's conclusions do not necessarily have to be the same as yours, and vice versa. As you read, you can have a "conversation" with the author, as well as having a continuous interview with yourself.

It is essential that you learn to read critically, rather than simply accepting everything in the textbook. This involves such things as determining whether information is fact or opinion, and identifying the writer’s purpose.

Critical reading is the ability to evaluate the credibility of a piece of writing. All writers have a purpose when they write, and usually, a writer will choose or emphasize facts and details which support his or her purpose, and ignore facts which don't. As a good reader, you need to be aware of that.