How to improve Reading Comprehension

By kellyoliva

While most of us are taught to read at a very young age, many of us need to improve our reading comprehension skills. The following tips will help you become an active reader, and can improve your ability to understand everything from manuals to newspaper articles.

'While most of us are taught to read at a very young age, many of us need to improve our reading comprehension skills. The following tips will help you become an active reader, and can improve your ability to understand everything from manuals to newspaper articles.';

Things You’ll Need:
Sticky notes
Writing utensil

Step1

Find a comfortable, quiet place to read. Distractions will prevent you from fully comprehending the reading material.

Step2

Preview the reading material. Your goal is to familiarize yourself with the layout of the piece in preparation for reading. Skim a book for a table of contents, prologue, epilogue, chapters, index, appendix, and/or glossary. Skim an article for headings, sub-headings, pictures, and/or footnotes.

Step3

Read any and all directions given to you.

Step4

On a sticky note, write 2 to 3 questions and/or predictions about what you are going to read based on your preview. Remember, there are no stupid questions or predictions.Sample question: What does the title "To Kill a Mockingbird" mean? Sample prediction: I think this book is about learning how to hunt birds.

Step5

Begin reading.

Step6

On your sticky notes, record any questions or comments that come to your mind as you read, and place the notes next to the related text. On your notes you might argue with the author, highlight a powerful statement, explain theme, summarize, or connect your personal experiences to the text. Sample comment: I understand why Scout is so frustrated with Jem. I feel the same way when my brother ignores me.

Step7

Reread sections of text that don't make sense, and look up vocabulary words that are unfamiliar.

Step8

Periodically, review the predictions you made before you started to read. Decide if you need to change your predictions based on what you have read.

Step9

Periodically, review the questions you asked at earlier points during the reading. Answer as many as you can. Continue to question and comment on the text until you are finished reading.

Step10

If possible, discuss the reading with others, and compare questions, comments and predictions.

Step11

Finally, reflect on the piece once you have finished reading. Determine what you disliked and liked about it, and write down what you learned from reading it.