How to Improve Reading Comprehension
Your reading comprehension improves when you treat the text as more than just words. Here are some practices to help you do that.
Up next in How to Improve Your Reading (16 videos)
Because reading is fun and fundamental!
You Will Need
- A distraction-free environment
Steps
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Step 1
Remove distractions
Remove distractions such as the TV or radio before you start reading. Your brain only has so much capacity for attention, so dedicate it all to your studies.
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Step 2
Build anticipation
Build anticipation for what you are about to read by reviewing chapter titles and subheads, or by reading a chapter summary. Reading first and last paragraphs is another good way to start.
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Step 3
Be an active reader
Be an active reader. Make connections between the text and things that you already know, and consider ideas the author may have left out.
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Step 4
Close the book
Close the book and quiz yourself on what you’ve read. Summarize the main points and facts from the text, and then go back to see how much you got right.
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If you need more structure in your study sessions, research techniques on the internet.
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Step 5
Reinforce the text
Reinforce what you’ve learned by discussing it with others or teaching someone else the lesson. Reviewing lectures and videos on the material also reinforces learning.
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Step 6
Test again
Test yourself again. If you do it enough, you'll learn the material by heart.
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In July 2007, the Guinness record for the longest book title was set by an Italian tome about public relations. It is 290 words long.
