How to Read Better

Estimated Time: 1 hour

Reading is an important skill for success in personal, academic, and professional contexts. Being able to read allows you to access a large amount of written information. This can include everything from books, newspapers, and magazines, to instructions, street signs, and menus. Without the ability to read, you would be unable to fully participate in many aspects of modern society. Reading is also important for personal growth and development. Reading allows you to learn new things, expand your knowledge, and develop your critical thinking skills, and can also be a source of enjoyment and relaxation. Furthermore, reading is essential for academic success. In school, students are expected to read and understand a wide variety of texts, including textbooks and other written materials. Being able to read and comprehend these texts is essential for doing well in university.

While we know that reading is a critical skill, you may ask yourself, "what does it mean to read well?" To read well means to be able to read and understand written materials accurately and effectively. There are several characteristics that support you in doing so, including:

• Fluency: Being able to read smoothly, without frequent pauses.
• Comprehension: Understanding what is being read is an important part of being a good reader. This may involve being able to identify main ideas, make inferences, and draw conclusions based on the text.
• Vocabulary: A good reader typically has a wide range of vocabulary, which can help them better understand the text they are reading.
• Attention to detail: Good readers are able to focus on the details of the text and notice important information and nuances.
• Critical thinking: Good readers are able to think critically about what they are reading, questioning and evaluating the content and arguments presented in the text.
• Engagement: Good readers are able to engage with the text and become immersed in the subject matter being presented.
• Flexibility: Good readers are able to adapt their reading strategies to different types of texts and adjust their reading pace and level of comprehension as needed.

Having a high proficiency in all these, can be challenging in academic and professional settings, when the volume and complexity of the texts that you are required to read is high. Therefore. it is worth being intentional about improving your approach to reading, and in this section we will explore some ways to help you read better.

📺 Watch the following video to learn more about reading in academic settings.

Summary of the SQ3R Framework:

• S = Survey: Quickly preview the material to get an overall sense of what it is about. Look at headings, subheadings, and any other organizational features.
• Q = Question: Turn the headings and subheadings into questions, and try to answer them based on what you already know. This will help you focus on the most important information and think about how it fits into your existing knowledge.
• R = Read: Read the material carefully, paying attention to the answers to the questions you generated. Take notes as you go along to help you remember key points.
• R = Recite: After you have finished reading, try to explain the main ideas to someone else or to yourself. This will help you consolidate your understanding and identify any areas where you need further clarification.
• R = Review: Review your notes and any other materials you have gathered, and test yourself on the material to make sure you have a good understanding of it.

Although SQ3R is a useful framework, you don't need to follow it perfectly in order to get the main benefits of the approach. The general point of the framework is for you to read actively!

📖 Read the following article to learn about more ways to improve your reading comprehension

📖 Read the following article for strategies for reading better

The strategies introduced in the above articles include:

Reflection

Here are some final tips to improve your reading skills:

• Practice reading regularly: The more you read, the more you will improve your reading skills. Make time to read every day, and try to read a variety of materials, such as books, articles, and websites.

• Set aside distractions: When you are reading, try to eliminate as many distractions as possible. This will help you focus on the material and increase your concentration and comprehension.

• Take active notes: As you read, consider taking notes or highlighting important information. This will help you retain the information and better understand the material. Feel free to refer back to the lesson in Optimizing Your Learning that discussed the Create and Capture method of note taking.

• Don't be afraid to ask for help: If you are having trouble understanding a text, don't be afraid to seek help. Remember that we are #better-together.