Many people want to read quickly, but have trouble understanding the text they are reading. As a result, they are forced to read again from the beginning or slower in order to understand the information in the reading. However, this ability is not actually determined by reading speed. This article explains how to understand the text as well as possible with just one reading.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Reading Text at a Glance
Step 1. Read the text at a glance
Take 1-2 minutes to thoroughly examine the text and find the important things you need to know. First, perform some of the steps described in the second method ("Utilizing Information You Already Know") to determine the basics, for example:
- Is the text presented as a list of facts, concepts that need to be understood, or a sequence of events?
- What activities do you need to do to make it easier to understand the text you are reading?
Step 2. Focus on reading according to the answers to questions about the text you want to read
If you must read to complete a school assignment, answer the following questions:
- Why should I read this text? What are the benefits of this assignment?
- Is this assignment related to the material taught in school? Does this text explain the main idea or does it only contain examples and information that support the main idea?
- What will I get after reading this text? (Ideas, background information, procedures, overview?)
- What details of information do I need to remember? (Should I understand the entire text or just the main idea?)
Step 3. Write down the answers to the questions as a reminder as you read
Method 2 of 4: Leveraging Information You Already Know
Step 1. Think about what you already know in the text
Answer the following questions related to the writing or use of the text:
- Who wrote this text? What do I know about the author?
- When was the text written? What do I know about that period of writing?
Step 2. Find out what is written in the text, its order, and what important information is listed on which page
For that, do the following things:
- Read the table of contents.
- Find out the number of chapters and read the title of each chapter.
- See the pictures and graphs presented.
- Read the introduction and conclusion.
- Read the introduction.
Step 3. Think about what you know about the topic being discussed
Maybe you don't need to read any further or just read the part that needs to be studied.
Method 3 of 4: Marking Things Important
Step 1. Decide how to mark main ideas and important information
Marks in the text are useful as clues so that it is easier for you to find material that has been studied. In addition, you will be reminded of the understanding that first appeared when you re-read the marked text. How you mark text depends on what you're reading, for example: your own book or library book, text printed on paper or on a computer screen.
Step 2. Mark the text using a marker or pen if you are reading a book or paper of your own
This will get you ready to ask questions and comment on what you want to discuss in class. Thus, the teacher will judge you as an active and responsible student. For that, do the following:
- Prepare 2 markers of different colors and 1 ballpoint pen.
- Use the first marker to mark important information and things to remember. (Mark only a few important pieces of information per page. Don't mark all of the text).
- Use a second marker to mark things you don't understand, want to ask questions, and opinions you disagree with.
- Use a pen to write comments on the text. (Writing comments helps you actively understand and memorize the material being read).
Step 3. If you're reading a library book, don't put any markings on it
Instead, take notes using small paper, notepads, or notebooks.
Step 4. If you want to make notes from text on your computer screen, select the required text and then copy paste it and save it as a new document
Some programs provide the facility to mark the text on the screen by giving color, writing comments, or other means.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding the Material Being Read
Step 1. Reflect on the material you just read
Do not immediately do other activities after reading because all information will be erased from short-term memory. By reflecting on the material you have just read, you will better understand and be able to memorize more information.
Step 2. Use at least 2 of the following methods:
- Reflect on the material after being read at a glance (to find out the suitability of the material with the purpose of reading).
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Summarize by answering the following questions:
- What is the author's purpose in writing this text? Who is the audience that will read this text?
- What are the main ideas/topics discussed?
- What reasons and evidence support the main idea?
- Is this text in line with the purpose of reading?
- What can I learn from this text?
- What is my response and how strongly do I respond to this text? Why?
- Question the material in the text. What do I think is wrong/right? Why? What are the reasons to support this opinion?
Step 3. Read the text again in 24 hours so you can understand it better
This method will transfer information from short-term memory to long-term memory.
Step 4. Complete the task as soon as possible after reading the text
If you want to understand the material because you have to complete an assignment, the information you need will be found faster.
