Communications
Survey

Before you begin to read anything you need to locate your sources. If you are going to need books and journals, or Internet access, chances are you will be using the University Library. The Library provides lots of help and information for newcomers. As well as attending a Library tour, you can pick up leaflets explaining access to catalogues, using the library and your campus card, and the electronic resources available to you. Help with using the Library is also available online in their Library and Information Skills website.

 

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Managing Your Reading

There may be extensive information available on the subject you have been asked to cover for an assignment. It will often take time to go through this information and prioritise the relevant pieces. Try to ensure that you allocate enough time to do this properly.

Deciding What To Read

You can get a good overview of how useful a text might be by using some of the following tactics:

  • checking the date of publication - is the information still relevant?
  • scanning the contents page
  • scanning the index pages
  • looking for a 'Foreword' or 'Preface' introducing the content
  • reading the first and last paragraphs of chapters
  • looking for abstracts and summaries in journal articles
introduction | survey | question | read | recall and review
taking notes from reading | cutting it down to size | lectures or seminars
Introduction | The Communication Cycle | Gathering Information | Essay Writing | Report Writing
Oral Presentations | Communicating Electronically
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