Active reading: how to become a better reader

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the importance of active reading strategies to improve comprehension and retention of information in the face of the overwhelming volume of content we are exposed to daily. It outlines 10 active reading techniques and introduces the SQ3R method as a structured approach to active reading.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Understanding the Purpose of Active Reading

1. What are the key benefits of active reading?

• Improves reading comprehension and analytical abilities
• Enhances critical thinking skills
• Boosts long-term memory retention

2. How does active reading transform passive absorption into an interactive process?

• Active reading involves strategies like understanding the author's purpose, adjusting reading rate, annotating content, paraphrasing, and connecting new information to prior knowledge.
• These strategies make the reader actively engaged with the content, rather than passively absorbing it.

[02] Active Reading Strategies

1. What are the 10 active reading strategies mentioned in the article?

• Understand the author's purpose
• Adjust your reading rate
• Annotate the content
• Paraphrase
• Use chunking
• Connect the dots
• Organize the information visually
• Evaluate the content
• Consult a reference
• Summarize the ideas

2. How does the SQ3R method provide a structured approach to active reading?

• Survey: Skim the content to understand the structure and key elements.
• Question: Generate questions about the content before reading.
• Read: Read actively using various strategies.
• Retrieve: Recall and explain the content in your own words.
• Review: Write a summary of the key ideas.