Reading Articles

Follow These Steps When Reading an Essay or Article

• Read and consider the title.
• Find the author’s name and any other information about the writer.
• Identify the source (i.e., the original publication and date) of the article.
• Read the introduction or opening paragraphs carefully, checking these against the title.
• Skim through the article and read all boldface subheadings, pull out quotes, or sidebar information.
• Skim through the article and read the first sentence of each paragraph; if this sentence is clearly not the topic sentence, locate and read the topic sentence.
• Examine any other typographical features such as italicized words.
• Examine any graphic content (e.g., maps, illustrations, images)
• Read the last paragraph carefully.
• Study any questions or additional information provided at the end of the article.
• Read the entire article, keeping in mind what you have gained from your pre-reading and checking your new understanding against the initial understanding, revising as needed.