How to Read Academic Texts in Fun Ways

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Always have a pencil to underline important things in the book ( which you can remove later) or a pen and paper to make important notes and diagrams of ideas.Then draw a big star or a house with a happy face or something else.

   If you can't face to read a whole book then try to find a journal article by the same writer on the same subject and read just the opening abstract, any illustrations or tables and the conclusion.
   
   Repeat until some ideas sink in.
   
   Now, skim through the rest, if using your computer use the "find" tool to search for relevant words to your work.Then find a very bad music video like Madonna, Britney, Michael Jackson and do bad sexy dancing to relieve the tension. , Then make a cup of tea with milk and two sugars with a "chockie biccie" ( UK academics find this fun). , Read the introduction, the conclusion, and use the index to find specific words and always make notes or diagrams for each main idea.
   
   Then have a little nap...that doesn't sound like fun so here goes to the next section. , Go on public transport on a reasonably long journey.
   
   If you picked "7"
   
   read page 7, then page 17, then page 27, etc..when you arrive at your chosen destination, go for a walk, see a friend or whatever, then get back on your mode of public transport and read p.37, p.47, etc..Continue before bed, and in the morning, and instead of watching TV or checking your emails until you get to the end of the book.
   
   By now you will have read 10% of the book in little chunks and will have a good idea of what it contains.
   
   Now you can go to p.8, 18, or go back to the chapters that interested you and read them fully. ,,,,
2. 2

   Step 2: Journal Articles.

3. 3

   Step 3: If you can't face reading a journal article or a book

4. 4

   Step 4: try to find a book review

5. 5

   Step 5: this will be a few paragraphs long and will contain some of the key ideas and a critique of them.

6. 6

   Step 6: Read Books.

7. 7

   Step 7: Pick a number between 1 and 9.

8. 8

   Step 8: If in doubt

9. 9

   Step 9: always read the introduction to any book and then reward yourself with a little chocolate

10. 10

    Step 10: or bit of cake

11. 11

    Step 11: or a cuddle

12. 12

    Step 12: or a bath or going out or playing a computer game or anything fun that is not wholesome but also not too dangerous and is in moderation.

13. 13

    Step 13: Consider taking one difficult book or two difficult articles and going out for an entire day alone by the sea or other peaceful place

14. 14

    Step 14: read and break things up with walks

15. 15

    Step 15: coffees

16. 16

    Step 16: snacks

17. 17

    Step 17: If you really don't want to read a book

18. 18

    Step 18: talk to someone who has and ask them if it is worth reading

19. 19

    Step 19: talking and socializing are good and will encourage you to maybe look at that book finally.

20. 20

    Step 20: If you are very fed up but have to read

21. 21

    Step 21: try reading out loud in a range of crazy accents.Try reading Philosophy in the style of Mr. Spock

22. 22

    Step 22: Anthropology in the style of Inspector Clouseau

23. 23

    Step 23: Mathematics as Neil from the Young Ones

24. 24

    Step 24: French in the style of Adolf Hitler

25. 25

    Step 25: Geography in the style of Emma Peel

26. 26

    Step 26: History in the style of Bob Dylan.

Detailed Guide

About the Author