Short answer: Read an academic article in three passes: first the abstract, introduction and conclusion to get the argument, then the headings and key figures to see how it is built, and only then the sections you actually need in detail. Take structured notes as you go so you never have to reread the whole thing.
Pass 1: Get the argument (5 minutes)
Read the title, abstract, introduction and conclusion. Write one sentence: "The authors argue that ... because ...". If you can't, you haven't got it yet.
Pass 2: See how it's built (10 minutes)
Skim the headings, any tables or figures, and the first sentence of each section. Note the method (what did they do?) and the main evidence.
Pass 3: Read what you need (as long as it takes)
Go back only to the sections that matter for your essay: a definition, a result, a limitation, a quote worth using. Read those carefully.
A note template
For each source, five lines are usually enough:
- Claim: what the authors argue
- Evidence: what supports it
- Method: how they got there
- Limits: what it doesn't show
- Use: where this fits in my essay or question
Add the full reference at the top so you never have to hunt for it later. Notes like these also make it easier to act on essay feedback, because you can see which sources your argument rests on.
Triage your reading list
Not everything deserves equal time. Sort each week's list into:
- Core: read properly (usually what the seminar discusses)
- Skim: passes 1 and 2 only
- Skip for now: return only if your essay needs it
Keeping the list in one place per module helps; see how to organise your university work.
Using AI to understand, not to replace the reading
The 2026 HEPI survey found students most often use AI to have concepts explained (61%) and to summarise articles (49%). If your university allows AI, the safest use is to help you understand a hard paragraph, then go back to the source and write your own notes. Summaries can miss the point or get details wrong, and they can't tell you what matters for your question. Never cite something you have only read in an AI summary, and check every claim and reference against the original. Check your department's rules, and declare AI use if they ask (see our guide to declaring AI use and our piece on using AI ethically in your essay).
Common mistakes
- Highlighting everything and noting nothing
- Reading start to finish when you only needed one section
- Copying quotes without page numbers
- Trusting a summary for details you'll cite
Source: HEPI Student Generative AI Survey 2026.
Frequently asked questions
A first-pass read can take 5 to 15 minutes; a close read of key sections takes longer. Match the effort to how important the article is for your task.
Yes, then the introduction and conclusion, before committing time to the middle.
Enough to avoid rereading: about five lines per source plus the reference.
Only if your university permits it, and only as a way to understand, not as a substitute for the source. Always verify against the original.
Note what you can, ask your tutor, and focus on how the authors justify their results.