{"id":34,"date":"2019-12-07T11:35:54","date_gmt":"2019-12-07T11:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/coreqenglish1\/chapter\/strategies-for-active-reading\/"},"modified":"2025-01-07T22:23:23","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T22:23:23","slug":"strategies-for-active-reading","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/strategies-for-active-reading\/","title":{"raw":"Strategies for Active Reading","rendered":"Strategies for Active Reading"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objective<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Describe active reading strategies<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Reading effectively means reading in a way that helps you understand, evaluate, and reflect on a written text. As you might guess, these skills are very important to college students. No matter what field you\u2019re going into, you\u2019ll be doing a lot of reading. The more effectively you read, the easier it will be, the less time it will take, and the more you\u2019ll enjoy the experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_498\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"341\"]<img class=\"wp-image-498\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2097\/2017\/07\/19184314\/14540436388_8b1fcd992e_k-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Two women reading.\" width=\"341\" height=\"227\" \/> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. Although reading anywhere you can is a great idea, active reading generally requires sitting down with a pen or computer in a distraction-free environment and taking notes so that you can fully engage with the text.[\/caption]\r\n<h2>Active Reading Strategies<\/h2>\r\nYou have already learned that college requires active reading, not passive reading. The following are some strategies for engaging in active reading.\r\n<h3>Read Thoroughly and in a Distraction-Free Environment<\/h3>\r\nIt is hard to keep our minds focused on a task all the time. It is a good idea to read multiple times, especially items such as prompts, texts for analysis, materials for exams, etc. Reading multiple times will enhance your ability to cognitively process the material.\r\n\r\nFurther, it can be difficult to get away from the excitement and \u201cnoise\u201d of college life. You should try to create an optimal setting for reading\u2014pick the ideal time, place, and conditions to the best of your abilities. If you can do your reading in a distraction-free environment, that will also increase your ability to make sense of the material and commit it to memory.\r\n<h3>Annotate Your Texts<\/h3>\r\nReadings in college are meant to be marked up. You cannot make the most of your reading experiences if you do not synthesize complex parts, write questions that arise, or note connections. And don\u2019t simply highlight parts you find interesting\u2014highlighting certainly isn\u2019t a bad strategy, but it doesn\u2019t advance active reading in and of itself. If you are using an online text, you can use programs to take online notes, or take notes on your readings in a separate notebook.\r\n\r\nWork to discover the central meaning of the piece. Write down your answers to the following questions as you read:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What is the author\u2019s point?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What is the text trying to say?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What story is the author telling?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">How does the author create and build this meaning?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Use Your Prior Knowledge to Your Advantage<\/h3>\r\nThough college involves a lot of reading on subjects or topics that are new to you, your prior knowledge can still help. Try to connect readings to what you already know, even if that isn\u2019t a lot. For example, you might be reading about the circulatory system for your Biology class and remember a relative\u2019s heart attack. What you learned as your family member went through the treatment could help you contextualize the reading. One trick to helping you retain knowledge during reading is to apply the information you read to what you already know about a topic.\r\n\r\nReflect on what the text means to you as a way to internalize the meaning. Write down your responses to the following questions as you read:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">How am I responding to this text?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Why am I responding that way?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What does the text make me think about?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What does this information mean to me?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Don\u2019t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew<\/h3>\r\nYou probably learned long ago that you can\u2019t read the 200-page text the day before the book report paper is due; however, you might not have thought much about shorter readings. Remember, reading in college is more difficult than it was in high school, so even that 20-page chapter might need more focus than you think.\r\n\r\nSince you will be annotating and thinking critically about the material, it might be a good idea to stop once in a while or break up even shorter pieces. Of course, you should probably be able to read a six-page article in one sitting, but you might want to go back at a later time to re-read it. You know your reading and thinking capacities better than anyone else, but don\u2019t push ahead if you find yourself not reading critically or not retaining information. This is why it is important to get to reading assignments early and leave time to come back to them if you need to do so.\r\n<h3>Look Up What You Don't Know<\/h3>\r\nWhen you encounter unfamiliar terms, concepts, or references, taking the time to explore their meanings can provide additional context that enriches your understanding of the text. This not only clarifies confusing points but also helps you connect new information to what you already know, reinforcing learning and retention.\r\n<h2>The Reading-Process Loop<\/h2>\r\nNext, we want to discuss strategies for a reading process loop\u2014previewing, questioning, annotating, and reviewing\u2014that will help you better think about and understand what you are reading. Don\u2019t forget that reading is a recursive act, which means you can move back and forth through different steps as you work. Keep reading and thinking about what you have read until you feel comfortable with the material.\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/01f93c67-01d2-412e-8b75-24f1315890b1\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objective<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Describe active reading strategies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Reading effectively means reading in a way that helps you understand, evaluate, and reflect on a written text. As you might guess, these skills are very important to college students. No matter what field you\u2019re going into, you\u2019ll be doing a lot of reading. The more effectively you read, the easier it will be, the less time it will take, and the more you\u2019ll enjoy the experience.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_498\" style=\"width: 351px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-498\" class=\"wp-image-498\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2097\/2017\/07\/19184314\/14540436388_8b1fcd992e_k-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Two women reading.\" width=\"341\" height=\"227\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-498\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. Although reading anywhere you can is a great idea, active reading generally requires sitting down with a pen or computer in a distraction-free environment and taking notes so that you can fully engage with the text.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Active Reading Strategies<\/h2>\n<p>You have already learned that college requires active reading, not passive reading. The following are some strategies for engaging in active reading.<\/p>\n<h3>Read Thoroughly and in a Distraction-Free Environment<\/h3>\n<p>It is hard to keep our minds focused on a task all the time. It is a good idea to read multiple times, especially items such as prompts, texts for analysis, materials for exams, etc. Reading multiple times will enhance your ability to cognitively process the material.<\/p>\n<p>Further, it can be difficult to get away from the excitement and \u201cnoise\u201d of college life. You should try to create an optimal setting for reading\u2014pick the ideal time, place, and conditions to the best of your abilities. If you can do your reading in a distraction-free environment, that will also increase your ability to make sense of the material and commit it to memory.<\/p>\n<h3>Annotate Your Texts<\/h3>\n<p>Readings in college are meant to be marked up. You cannot make the most of your reading experiences if you do not synthesize complex parts, write questions that arise, or note connections. And don\u2019t simply highlight parts you find interesting\u2014highlighting certainly isn\u2019t a bad strategy, but it doesn\u2019t advance active reading in and of itself. If you are using an online text, you can use programs to take online notes, or take notes on your readings in a separate notebook.<\/p>\n<p>Work to discover the central meaning of the piece. Write down your answers to the following questions as you read:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What is the author\u2019s point?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What is the text trying to say?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What story is the author telling?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">How does the author create and build this meaning?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Use Your Prior Knowledge to Your Advantage<\/h3>\n<p>Though college involves a lot of reading on subjects or topics that are new to you, your prior knowledge can still help. Try to connect readings to what you already know, even if that isn\u2019t a lot. For example, you might be reading about the circulatory system for your Biology class and remember a relative\u2019s heart attack. What you learned as your family member went through the treatment could help you contextualize the reading. One trick to helping you retain knowledge during reading is to apply the information you read to what you already know about a topic.<\/p>\n<p>Reflect on what the text means to you as a way to internalize the meaning. Write down your responses to the following questions as you read:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">How am I responding to this text?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Why am I responding that way?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What does the text make me think about?<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What does this information mean to me?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Don\u2019t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew<\/h3>\n<p>You probably learned long ago that you can\u2019t read the 200-page text the day before the book report paper is due; however, you might not have thought much about shorter readings. Remember, reading in college is more difficult than it was in high school, so even that 20-page chapter might need more focus than you think.<\/p>\n<p>Since you will be annotating and thinking critically about the material, it might be a good idea to stop once in a while or break up even shorter pieces. Of course, you should probably be able to read a six-page article in one sitting, but you might want to go back at a later time to re-read it. You know your reading and thinking capacities better than anyone else, but don\u2019t push ahead if you find yourself not reading critically or not retaining information. This is why it is important to get to reading assignments early and leave time to come back to them if you need to do so.<\/p>\n<h3>Look Up What You Don&#8217;t Know<\/h3>\n<p>When you encounter unfamiliar terms, concepts, or references, taking the time to explore their meanings can provide additional context that enriches your understanding of the text. This not only clarifies confusing points but also helps you connect new information to what you already know, reinforcing learning and retention.<\/p>\n<h2>The Reading-Process Loop<\/h2>\n<p>Next, we want to discuss strategies for a reading process loop\u2014previewing, questioning, annotating, and reviewing\u2014that will help you better think about and understand what you are reading. Don\u2019t forget that reading is a recursive act, which means you can move back and forth through different steps as you work. Keep reading and thinking about what you have read until you feel comfortable with the material.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_01f93c67-01d2-412e-8b75-24f1315890b1\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/01f93c67-01d2-412e-8b75-24f1315890b1?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_01f93c67-01d2-412e-8b75-24f1315890b1\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-34\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li><strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Guy Krueger. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: University of Mississippi. <strong>Project<\/strong>: PLATO Project. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Reading. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Marco Nuernberger. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mnuernberger\/14540436388\/\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mnuernberger\/14540436388\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":29,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"\",\"author\":\"Guy Krueger\",\"organization\":\"University of Mississippi\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"PLATO Project\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Reading\",\"author\":\"Marco Nuernberger\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mnuernberger\/14540436388\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"d84ecabc-ad06-4276-a643-55c5eaae4047, 5f67668d-f54b-4086-bdd6-83449e182543","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-34","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":151,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/34","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/34\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6028,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/34\/revisions\/6028"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/151"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/34\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=34"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=34"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=34"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}