to Improve Reading Comprehension
 

[COLOR="Magenta"][I][B][U][SIZE="4"]How to Improve Reading Comprehension[/SIZE][/U][/B][/I][/COLOR]
[B][COLOR="magenta"]Key Point[/COLOR][/B]
[COLOR="Orange"][B]Good reading means building frameworks for connecting words to thoughts.[/B][/COLOR]


[COLOR="orange"][B]The Purpose of Reading.[/B][/COLOR]

The purpose of reading is to connect the ideas on the page to what you already know. If you don't know anything about a subject, then pouring words of text into your mind is like pouring water into your hand. You don't retain much.
[COLOR="orange"][B]For example[/B][/COLOR], try reading these numbers:
[COLOR="orange"][B]7516324[/B][/COLOR] This is hard to read and remember.
[COLOR="orange"][B]751-6324[/B][/COLOR] This is easier because of chunking.
[COLOR="orange"][B]123-4567 [/B][/COLOR]This is easy to read because of prior knowledge and structure.
Similarly, if you like sports, then reading the sports page is easy. You have a framework in your mind for reading, understanding and storing information.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Improving Comprehension. [/B][/COLOR]

Reading comprehension requires motivation, mental frameworks for holding ideas, concentration and good study techniques. Here are some suggestions.


[COLOR="orange"][B]Develop a broad background.[/B][/COLOR]
Broaden your background knowledge by reading newspapers, magazines and books. Become interested in world events.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Know the structure of paragraphs.[/B][/COLOR]
Good writers construct paragraphs that have a beginning, middle and end. Often, the first sentence will give an overview that helps provide a framework for adding details. Also, look for transitional words, phrases or paragraphs that change the topic.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Identify the type of reasoning.[/B][/COLOR]
Does the author use cause and effect reasoning, hypothesis, model building, induction or deduction, systems thinking? See section 20 for more examples on critical thinking skills.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Anticipate and predict.[/B][/COLOR]
Really smart readers try to anticipate the author and predict future ideas and questions. If you're right, this reinforces your understanding. If you're wrong, you make adjustments quicker.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Look for the method of organization.[/B][/COLOR]
Is the material organized chronologically, serially, logically, functionally, spatially or hierarchical? See section 10 for more examples on organization.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Create motivation and interest.[/B][/COLOR]
Preview material, ask questions, discuss ideas with classmates. The stronger your interest, the greater your comprehension.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Pay attention to supporting cues.[/B][/COLOR]
Study pictures, graphs and headings. Read the first and last paragraph in a chapter, or the first sentence in each section.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Highlight, summarize and review.[/B][/COLOR]
Just reading a book once is not enough. To develop a deeper understanding, you have to highlight, summarize and review important ideas.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Build a good vocabulary. [/B][/COLOR]
For most educated people, this is a lifetime project. The best way to improve your vocabulary is to use a dictionary regularly. You might carry around a pocket dictionary and use it to look up new words. Or, you can keep a list of words to look up at the end of the day. Concentrate on roots, prefixes and endings.

Use a systematic reading technique like SQR3.
Develop a systematic reading style, like the SQR3 method and make adjustments to it, depending on priorities and purpose. [COLOR="orange"]The SQR3 steps include Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review[/COLOR]. See Section 14 for more details.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Monitor effectiveness.[/B][/COLOR]
Good readers monitor their attention, concentration and effectiveness. They quickly recognize if they've missed an idea and backup to reread it.

[COLOR="orange"][B]Should You Vocalize Words? [/B][/COLOR]

Yes, although it is faster to form words in your mind rather than on your lips or throat. Eye motion is also important. Frequent backtracking slows you down considerably.