{"id":1279,"date":"2009-12-15T10:14:46","date_gmt":"2009-12-15T18:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=1279"},"modified":"2013-08-21T09:27:33","modified_gmt":"2013-08-21T17:27:33","slug":"5-ways-to-improve-reading-comprehension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/5-ways-to-improve-reading-comprehension\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Improve Reading Comprehension"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image courtesy of Isadore Weiner<\/a><\/em>\/Illinois State Museum<\/em><\/p>\n

Written by Vincent Kovar<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all had that sensation of reading a selection of text then, only moments later, not remember anything we\u2019ve just read. Sometimes we can read something over and over but never really feel like we \u201cget it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reading comprehension is crucial for every profession and lifestyle. Whether you\u2019re reading a repair manual or the latest business best-seller, comprehension tools add value to the time spent over the page.<\/p>\n

Here are 5 quick strategies for increasing your reading comprehension, remembering material and sparking new ideas.<\/p>\n

Pre-reading predictions<\/h2>\n

Before reading the article or chapter, create a three column chart.<\/p>\n

In the left-hand column, write down everything you think that the reading will cover and what conclusions it will arrive at<\/strong>. Look at the title, the abstract or summary (if included) and the chapter or section headings. Do some quick online research about the writer and try to get a picture of the shape of his or her ideas. Make your list of predictions as detailed as you can including what topics the writer will introduce and what evidence they might present.<\/p>\n

Read the text over once and make notations of what the writer actually included in the middle column.<\/p>\n

Compare and contrast the predictions in the first two columns of your chart. What was new, different or unexpected? Try to explain the differences between the first two columns in the third column.<\/p>\n

Chunk summaries<\/h2>\n

As you read, try to boil each paragraph down to 1-2 sentences<\/strong> (grammar doesn\u2019t count here) written in your own words. Once you have finished a section or sub-section, summarize your summaries for that entire chunk before going on to the next.<\/p>\n

Compare your summaries with those of a classmate. As the old saying goes, \u201cfour eyes are better than two.\u201d Do you agree or disagree on the meaning of each paragraph?<\/p>\n

Make notes of unanswered questions and either bring them to class or post them in the class forum for discussion and further study.<\/p>\n

3-step post reading review<\/h2>\n

After you\u2019ve read the entire chapter or article, create a 3-step review.<\/p>\n