Initial reading
In the UK, you have to do a lot of independent study. This means, you have to read, do research, and write assignments and dissertations instead of taking exams. These processes will prepare you better for employment.
To get you started, your lecturers have provided you with your initial reading in Library Reading Lists(opens in new tab) for every module. Explore your initial reading material in there. Your reading lists are in Canvas as well.
Wider reading
Once you have explored your initial reading material, it is time to start thinking about wider reading. As you are doing a degree, meaning you are studying a subject in detail to be qualified enough to get a job in that area once you graduate, you have to learn all about that subject. You have to know the latest developments in your field.
For your wider reading, explore our books, journals, databases, and more in our Library Search(opens in new tab) engine.
Critical reading
Critical reading is an essential skill to have at university, as it helps you analyse and understand text, and write assignments. During your degree, you will be expected to critically read and evaluate a range of academic arguments. For example, if you are studying a specific topic, you will be asked to examine academic sources, using the facts you have found to express your own views on an issue.
Our recommended critical reading strategies include:
- Underlining and/or highlighting keywords and phrases as you read to help you extract the main points
- Making annotations in the margins to summarise information, note examples, and avoid plagiarism. This will also help you keep a written record of information you've read
- Using symbols such as an asterisk to indicate the relevance and importance of something, for example, evidence you can use in your assignment and how this information fits within what you've already read on this topic
- Asking questions as you go along, for example, is this relevant to the assignment? How is this source linked to other texts or lectures?
- Making comments on what you've read to help develop your critical thinking skills
Academic writing
Developing a strong academic writing style is an important part of your degree. This means thinking critically, planning your work carefully, and structuring your ideas accordingly. It also requires using accurate spelling and grammar.
When it comes to writing style, you should:
- Think about your course and consider the type of writing assignment you need to complete, e.g. an academic essay, report, etc.
- Make a list of writing style features you would like to use
- Proofread a paragraph using your list
- Highlight the features you would like to improve
- Redraft and edit the paragraph, then proofread it again
Tips for proofreading
It is crucial to take time to proofread before you submit your assignments. Here are some of our top tips:
- Take a break from the text – proofreading and editing right after you've finished writing means you are likely to miss some mistakes. Put your work aside for a few hours and go back to it later with a fresh pair of eyes
- Do not rely too heavily on spellcheckers – while these can be useful, there will be some words that are not included in their dictionary. They also do not identify meaning problems, for example, a spellchecker would not change 'their' to 'there'
- Proofread and edit separately – try to proofread then edit the text in short blocks (or vice versa) as completing everything in one go may be less effective
- Practise proofreading and editing systematically – keeping your process consistent will help you develop an awareness of areas you need to work on and identify a range of errors
- Use a checklist – once you have made a list of features you would like to include in your writing, use this to proofread and edit your work by highlighting examples of changes you have made