Introduction
Law reading lists have a reputation for being difficult and long. A case can run over a hundred pages. A week's reading may be several hundred pages. To achieve the highest grades, you must read the material first-hand. It is not good enough to read summaries if it.
Speed reading is a tool. You can choose when to speed up and when to slow down. You decide what readings deserve close attention. Your ability to read faster and slow down will improve your reading efficiency. Long reading lists become manageable.
This article will explain how to approach different types of law readings.
Lecture Handouts
Lecture handouts can be read before or after a lecture. Before is generally better. Repeated exposure to a topic will help you to assimilate it. If you read the lecture handout before the lecture, and go over it in the lecture, you will have read it twice. The second reading will have the benefit of being narrated by your lecturer.
Lecture handouts are the first reading you should complete from any reading list. It is not technically in your reading list, as all students are required to read it as a prerequisite to the reading list. This emphasises the care you must read it with. Law courses differ by university. The lecture handouts outline what material may be examined in your assessments.
Textbooks
Start your reading with the textbook. Textbooks give you the framework for your readings because the authors outline the concepts you must understand to succeed at your module.
You can read textbooks in two ways. 1) Complete a thorough read and make notes on key points. This is important if the bulk of your reading comes from textbooks, or 2) skim-read the textbook to gain an overview of the rest of your readings. Summarise the readings in your head. This is an efficient method if you intend to read the rest of your reading list.
Cases
Read cases with purpose. Before reading a case, you should understand why you are reading that case. For example, does it link to a case you have previously read? Are you seeking to understand the ratio? Perhaps the dissenting argument is powerful. The purpose for reading the case will be indicated in your lecture handout.
Once you know the purpose for reading the case, you can choose to focus your attention on the relevant section. If the judgement is most important, read that thoroughly. Reflect on the judges’ opinions if there are dissenting arguments. The dissenting arguments will widen your perspective and set you apart from your classmates as they are often skipped.
Articles
Articles are fantastic for understand a viewpoint in-depth. The author will make a series of points to make an argument. If the author writes in simple, clear English, you can skim-read the article to maximise your output. Ensure you are understanding the main points by explaining them to yourself after you have read the article.
If an article is essential to your reading, you may wish to read it at a slower pace. As you read, you can form counterpoints in your head. When you come to your exams, these are the counterpoints that you will make to earn your grades.
Conclusion
Lecture handouts are essential. Use them to understand what is relevant to your course.
Textbook readings are useful to develop a framework of how your readings link together.
Cases can be selectively read. Understand their purpose before you begin reading.
Articles outline detailed viewpoints. Read them to develop your understanding a specific area.
On Lexo, you can upload your readings to learn to speed read as you study your degree.