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.
For example, try reading these numbers:
7516324 This is hard to read and remember.
751-6324 This is easier because of chunking.
123-4567 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.
Improving Comprehension.
Develop a broad background.
Know the structure of paragraphs.
Anticipate and predict.
Look for the method of organization.
Pay attention to supporting cues.
Highlight, summarize and review.
Build a good vocabulary.
Use a systematic reading technique like SQR3.
Monitor effectiveness.
For example, try reading these numbers:
7516324 This is hard to read and remember.
751-6324 This is easier because of chunking.
123-4567 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.
Also Read: How to solve Logical reasoning part in Elitmus?
Improving Comprehension.
Reading
comprehension requires motivation, mental frameworks for holding ideas,
concentration and good study techniques. Here are some suggestions.
Develop a broad background.
Broaden
your background knowledge by reading newspapers, magazines and books. Become
interested in world events.
Know the structure of paragraphs.
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.
Identify
the type of reasoning.
Does
the author use cause and effect reasoning, hypothesis, model building,
induction or deduction, systems thinking.
Anticipate and predict.
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.
Look for the method of organization.
Is
the material organized chronologically, serially, logically, functionally,
spatially or hierarchical? See section 10 for more examples on organization.
Also Read: How to solve Data Interpretation part in Elitmus?Create motivation and interest.
Preview
material, ask questions, discuss ideas with classmates. The stronger your
interest, the greater your comprehension.
Pay attention to supporting cues.
Study
pictures, graphs and headings. Read the first and last paragraph in a chapter,
or the first sentence in each section.
Highlight, summarize and review.
Just
reading a book once is not enough. To develop a deeper understanding, you have
to highlight, summarize and review important ideas.
Build a good vocabulary.
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.
Going through word-of-the-day of elitmusguru will definitely help
you in this regard.
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. The SQR3 steps include Survey, Question,
Read, Recite and Review.
Monitor effectiveness.
Good
readers monitor their attention, concentration and effectiveness. They quickly
recognize if they've missed an idea and backup to reread it.
Should You
Vocalize Words? 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 considerablyAlso Read: Looking for Job in Software? Click here