RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

Below are some tips on how to improve your reading and writing skills.

Reading

When you get a text, the first thing you need to do is read it quickly, to get the main idea.  Don't worry about understanding everything at the moment. This technique is called 'skimming'.

The next stage is called 'scanning'. This time you read the same text a bit slower, looking for specific information. It is a good idea to decide before you scan what exactly you are going to look for. Perhaps your teacher has given you some questions. Scanning involves only looking for the information that is relevant to you.

Now you have 'skimmed' and 'scanned' you are ready to read the text again, slowly, to understand more details. There are techniques you can use to help you try and understand words you don't know. This is guessing the meaning of unknown vocabulary from the context.

Now you really understand the content of the text, you are ready to read it again, but this time your task is to analyse it and try and understand any hidden meanings. This is called critical reading, and this is what is required of you at university.

Writing

Learning how to structure an essay is very important.  Here is some general guidance:

  • Analyse the question.
  • Make an outline plan. This helps you brainstorm ideas, direct your research and structure the essay.
  • Write the first draft.
  • Review and edit the essay. Check that the paragraphs make sense and the ideas are linked together. You must also check that you have answered the question properly.
  • Write the final draft. Check your spelling!

Focus on Structure

Introduction - this should be one paragraph in which you should:

  • Show that you understand the question.
  • Explain how you are going to answer the question.

Body – this is the main part of the essay, where you should:

  • Show that you understand the key issues, providing evidence and examples as appropriate.
  • Refer to other people’s ideas by using quotations and/or references.

Conclusion- this is the final paragraph where you should:

  • Summarise the main points of your essay and give your final opinion.