3.3 What will you read for?

Reading will underpin much of your academic work as a student; it will take on a central role in your learning and writing. You’ll be expected to read, analyse and synthesise different sources of information to prepare for lectures, tutorials, tests and assignments.

Most of your reading will assist you in consolidating your knowledge about course content; however, you'll also be encouraged to read beyond your subject area and keep up-to-date. Click on the headings below to find examples of the reading materials you'll encounter.

Most of your courses will have a reading list of materials that provide background reading in your field and are relevant for your assignments. You're not often expected to read every item on the list; rather, you'll need to decide which sources will help you understand the course content better or answer your assignment question.

In other words, you'll be expected to be "an independent learner who can make decisions about what you need to learn" (Brick, 2011, p.77).

Further reading