{"id":226,"date":"2019-08-28T10:25:04","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T09:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-skills\/?p=226"},"modified":"2024-04-22T13:21:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T12:21:34","slug":"reading-note-taking-tips-1-reading-from-the-inside-out-and-not-outside-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2019\/08\/28\/reading-note-taking-tips-1-reading-from-the-inside-out-and-not-outside-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading and note-taking tips 1: Reading from the inside out (and not outside in)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Students often believe that before they begin an assignment, they should read as much as possible around a topic until they feel 'ready' to start writing. This is NOT a good idea, as it is highly likely you will find yourself completely bogged down in a mess of ideas.<\/p>\n<p>You should always read for a specific and targeted purpose, with an aim to build up a clear picture, piece by piece (like a jigsaw).\u00a0 In this way you will be able to<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>filter out the noise<\/li>\n<li>select more relevant and useful texts<\/li>\n<li>stay focused and on target<\/li>\n<li>build your confidence around the assignment topic and task<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Getting started on your research reading - filling in the jigsaw<\/h3>\n<p>When you select a potentially useful text, you should ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Why have I selected this text?<\/li>\n<li>Is it relevant to my assignment? If so, how and why?<\/li>\n<li>What type of information is it? (e.g. informative, argument, example, data etc)<\/li>\n<li>Where will it fit in my assignment (i.e. where can I slot it into my plan)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Generating research questions<\/h3>\n<p>Your purpose is set by your assignment task and type. It may be an essay, which asks you to investigate a specific focus area or problem, or a technical report, where you have to investigate and build on previous research.<\/p>\n<p>The next step, therefore is to generate a set of questions prompted by your assignment. These questions can range from simple definition and description types (what? how? when? etc) - to more detailed and complex critical questions (why? in what ways? etc).<\/p>\n<p>These questions give you a springboard into your research.<\/p>\n<p>Begin with the easy questions, and move through to the more complex. As you find specific answers, you will:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>slowly build up your understanding, in manageable chunks<\/li>\n<li>fill in the gaps in your knowledge<\/li>\n<li>unearth more details about the topic\u00a0 that may lead to further questions<\/li>\n<li>be able to slot in your Q&amp;As into your assignment plan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Jigsaw research process<\/h3>\n<p>Here is a diagram that illustrates how the <em>jigsaw research process<\/em>\u00a0works.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-232\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/research-bubble-300x221.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"462\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/research-bubble-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/research-bubble-768x566.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/research-bubble-1024x754.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/research-bubble-292x215.jpg 292w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/research-bubble.jpg 1184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 462px) 100vw, 462px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Focus = thesis\/problem or research statement \/ specific purpose of your assignment<\/p>\n<p>Scope = The limits of your research, set (or suggested) by the assignment question or task<\/p>\n<p>You should also be continually questioning everything you read (bubbles), and be on the lookout for problems\/holes\/ flaws in evidence and arguments presented in the text.<\/p>\n<p>By following this logical and systematic approach\u00a0 you will hopefully take control of your research reading and significantly reduce workload and stress levels.<\/p>\n<p>Hopkins, D. and Reid, T., 2018. <i>The Academic Skills Handbook: Your Guid<\/i><i>e to Success in Writing, Thinking and Communicating at University<\/i>. Sage.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Students often believe that before they begin an assignment, they should read as much as possible around a topic until they feel 'ready' to start writing. This is NOT a good idea, as it is highly likely you will find...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":399,"featured_media":227,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[94,91,79],"tags":[135],"class_list":["post-226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-reading","category-academic-skills","category-note-taking","tag-jigsaw-research-process"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/puzzle-226743_1920.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":352,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2020\/09\/29\/taking-notes-in-panopto-lectures-2-choose-your-method\/","url_meta":{"origin":226,"position":0},"title":"Getting the most out of Panopto lectures 2: note-taking","author":"Tom Reid","date":"September 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Choices, choices... There are a few options when it comes to taking notes in lectures, and in the end you should select whichever method you prefer. However, it's worth experimenting as you might surprise yourself and find a new approach that works even better for you. Or you might adapt\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Note-taking&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Note-taking","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/note-taking\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2020\/04\/write-593333_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2020\/04\/write-593333_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2020\/04\/write-593333_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2020\/04\/write-593333_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2020\/04\/write-593333_1920.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2020\/04\/write-593333_1920.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1487,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2025\/04\/03\/how-to-make-your-coursework-as-great-as-it-can-be\/","url_meta":{"origin":226,"position":1},"title":"How to make your coursework as great as it can be","author":"Justin Alam","date":"April 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Feeling overwhelmed by a pile of assignments all due at the same time? Fear not! We understand this can seem daunting. However, effective management of coursework can really help you to navigate these challenges. This applies whether you\u2019re just starting your course or are already well into your studies. 1.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Academic skills&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Academic skills","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":228,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2019\/09\/03\/reading-note-taking-tips-2-choosing-a-method-that-works-for-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":226,"position":2},"title":"Reading and note-taking tips 2 : Choosing a method that works for you","author":"Tom Reid","date":"September 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"There are many different ways to take notes. You need to find an approach that works for you. However, whatever method you use, your notes should always include: description - summary of the selected section (in your own words) analysis - what the text means evaluation - why it matters\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Academic reading&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Academic reading","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/academic-reading\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/glasses-272399_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/glasses-272399_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/glasses-272399_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/glasses-272399_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/glasses-272399_1920.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/glasses-272399_1920.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":208,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2020\/09\/28\/how-to-analyse-essay-titles-questions\/","url_meta":{"origin":226,"position":3},"title":"How to analyse essay titles and questions","author":"Tom Reid","date":"September 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the main criticisms from lecturers is that students don't answer the question set in the essay. If you don't address all parts of your assignment question, your mark will be much lower. It's vital, therefore, that you develop techniques to identify and understand what your tutor wants you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Essay writing&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Essay writing","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/essay-writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/magnifying-glass-633057_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/magnifying-glass-633057_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/magnifying-glass-633057_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/magnifying-glass-633057_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/magnifying-glass-633057_1920.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/magnifying-glass-633057_1920.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":222,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2019\/10\/03\/reading-note-taking-tip-3-colour-coded-critical-thinking\/","url_meta":{"origin":226,"position":4},"title":"Reading and note-taking tip 3: Colour-coded critical thinking","author":"Tom Reid","date":"October 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"When taking lots of notes, it's easy to get in a muddle and lose track of your research. One way to organise your notes is to colour-code them using highlighter pens. Here's what to do: Photocopy the relevant section of the journal article, textbook, etc (don't write on the original\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Academic reading&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Academic reading","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/academic-reading\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/artistic-1238606_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/artistic-1238606_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/artistic-1238606_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/artistic-1238606_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/artistic-1238606_1920.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/03\/artistic-1238606_1920.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":371,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2020\/12\/02\/top-tips-for-taking-open-book-exams-1-preparation\/","url_meta":{"origin":226,"position":5},"title":"Top tips for taking open book exams 1 - preparation","author":"Kerry Vevers","date":"December 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"During the exam period, you may be asked to take a home-based online open book exam. Open book exams allow you to consult external sources such as textbooks and your own notes during the exam time. 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