In the classroom, teachers often give the task to read a complex and voluminous book. Perhaps you need help reading a work of fiction for a literature class or a real biography for a history class. Reading thoughtfully and effectively requires a structured strategy to help you understand, remember, and enjoy the book.
Review the instructor's assignment. It is important to understand why you have been asked to read this book in order to pay particular attention to these ideas and themes as you read. It will also provide a deeper understanding of the book and help you take notes effectively.
If you have been given a topic or question to write about, make sure you understand it correctly.
If you need to answer a series of questions, you should read them carefully, and also use a dictionary and your notes to clarify the meanings of unknown ideas or words.
Briefly write down your thoughts on the preview. They will help you feel confident in the perception of the material, as well as focus on the desired topic. You will also better absorb the material of the book, if you apply to the assignment expert, since all attention will be focused on specific issues.
What did you learn about the topic and author of the book?
Are the chapters of the book in chronological order? Is this a collection of short stories or essays?
How will this book help you complete your homework?
How will you keep records?
Determine your goal when reading a book. Even if you don't have a specific assignment, you should always know why you are reading a book. Awareness of one's own goals improves understanding of the text and influences the choice of reading strategies. Write down the purpose of your reading after preliminary considerations.
We usually read non-fiction to find specific information or to cover a particular topic.
We read fiction in order to enjoy an interesting story and follow the development of characters. For literature lessons, we can also read more closely about topics that grow or change as the story progresses, or to identify the stylistic and lexical preferences of the author of the book.
Ask yourself: "What do I want to know and what questions to find answers to?"
Read any additional material provided by the teacher about the topic, book, and author. This way you can experience the book the way the author intended to show it to you, and not just through the prism of personal opinion. You will also be able to realize the importance of the ideas and events presented.
Ask yourself: "For what purpose was this material written? For whom? What is the author's critical point of view on the topic?"
Get ready to take notes. Active participation in the reading process through note-taking will improve comprehension, concentration and retention. Instead of passively hoping to understand and remember all the material, you will have a clear method of capturing your thoughts and considerations as you read.
Some students prefer to make notes in the margins of the book and underline the text. If this is your way, then it's best to collect these notes in one place after each reading session.
Come up with a graphical representation for yourself based on your task and / or purpose of reading. You can draw rows for a summary of each chapter, details of a topic or character, new ideas, questions, and thoughts of your own. Fill in these rows as you read.
