Read Better: 10 Tips to Boost Your Reading Comprehension
Posted on 10 Dec 2022 | Posted in StevensBooks Blogs
Most of us know how important reading really is. Not only does it serve as a great source of knowledge and insight, but being able to read and understand complex topics can help you stand out amongst colleagues or classmates. It’s easier said than done, though— learning to comprehend certain texts isn’t always simple.
For many people, reading comprehension can be tricky. It requires a certain level of skill and concentration to truly understand what you’re reading in school, at work, or even for personal enjoyment. When literature is difficult to interpret, questions arise about how best to tackle its contents. You may want to read more, yet if you just couldn't take in or make sense of the material, you won’t have a good reading experience. You can’t really appreciate a written work if you can’t grasp what it means.
If you’re tired of feeling frustrated because you can read the words, but don't always understand them, then this article is for you. With these following tips, you can get more out of your reading sessions so that you can be better informed and enjoy the reading process.
Preview the material before diving in.
Prior to reading, get an idea of what the content will be about. You can check a book’s blurb or summary so you’ll know what to expect and gauge if the depth or complexity of the material is something you can handle. This allows for better understanding when actually reading the material. By knowing what topics are discussed in advance, you'll be more likely to stay focused on the text as opposed to zoning out and missing key points.
Look for context clues.
Context clues can give you hints about the meaning of words or phrases, helping you quickly and accurately interpret texts without having to look up each word or phrase in a dictionary. This strategy is particularly helpful when tackling new vocabulary words or unfamiliar concepts while reading. To find context clues, readers should pay attention to surrounding words and note any details that could help them better understand the meaning of the sentence— such as definitions, examples, contrasts, comparisons, synonyms and antonyms. Additionally, looking at sentence structure can provide helpful insights into how various parts of the sentence fit together and contribute to its overall meaning.
Learn the meaning of unfamiliar words.
By taking the time to search for and understand a word’s definition, you are not only improving your vocabulary but also expanding your understanding of the text as a whole. This can be especially helpful when you’re stuck on a complex sentence or idea. Explore online tools like dictionary websites and educational apps for etymologies, definitions, synonyms and examples of how the word or concept is used in context. This can help you gain further insight into what you’re reading and enable better understanding overall.
Take notes as you go along.
As you read, highlight and jot down key points, observations or questions that come up so that you can refer back to them later. This will not only help in learning what the content is about, but it can also solidify your understanding of the text and provide useful reference points for review when the material needs to be recalled. Your notes will help cement information in your memory so that you can easily remember it later on when quizzed or discussing the topic with someone else. Additionally, keeping track of your ideas will give you more confidence when talking about the reading topic with others.
Set yourself a goal before each text.
Before diving into a new text, take a moment to think about what it is that you want to learn or understand from it. Ask yourself the necessary pieces of information or details that you hope to gain from the passage. Consider questions like “What do I hope to get out of this?” or “What doubts am I hoping this will answer?” Having clear goals in mind helps ensure that your attention remains on track and not wasted on minor details. It also allows you to focus on finding answers instead of simply passively skimming through the text without truly understanding it.
Use active reading techniques.
Active reading is a method of understanding literature by engaging with the text as you go through it. Active readers usually have a better reading experience because they use certain strategies that enable them to make sense of the material more quickly and effectively. These can include anything from reading out loud, annotating books, writing your thoughts on the margins, explaining sections of text to someone else, or using tools like flashcards or online quizzes that test your knowledge of what you’ve read. By actively participating in your reading process, you can better take in and understand the ideas presented in any written work.
Slow down when reading.
When we read quickly, it's easy to miss crucial details or get confused about certain points in the text. Slowing down helps ensure that all the information being read is understood and retained correctly. While this may seem tedious at first, with practice you'll find yourself becoming more comfortable with taking your time while reading and understanding more of the content in a shorter amount of time.
Reread parts that are difficult to understand.
Don’t be afraid to reread certain pages or sections if something isn’t making sense right away. Sometimes, it takes a few reads to get comfortable with unfamiliar topics or concepts. As you read through each passage, pause every few sentences and ask yourself questions such as "What did I just read?" and "Why is this important?" Rereading allows you to break down long, complex narratives into more manageable pieces and also provides you an opportunity to gain further insight into the ideas presented in the text.
Relate the text to what you already know.
When possible, connect new material with knowledge from previous readings or experiences. Think about topics related to the text that have already been discussed in class or during conversation with friends and family. This will create a bridge between the knowledge you already have and the new material that you’re reading for the first time. When you make comparisons, it will be easier for you to recognize patterns and make sense of different texts, as well as comprehend and remember information better.
Summarize the material after reading.
Once finished reading, review and summarize what was read in order to solidify any new concepts or ideas picked up during the process. Doing this helps trigger memory recall and makes it easier for readers to access information later on down the line. When summarizing, try not to get too bogged down in details, but rather focus on broad concepts so that a clear picture emerges from your summary.
Reading comprehension is an essential skill for success in school and in the workplace. Whether you’re reading a textbook, a magazine article, or a novel, understanding and remembering what you read can be tricky. We hope that the tips we provided make reading less tricky than it usually is.
Of course, the best advice is always to read more and more until you get familiar with words and phrases you come across. As they say, practice makes perfect. You can bring additional books to your TBR (to-be-read) pile from Stevens Books so you can hone your reading skills.