Q&A for How to Improve Your Reading Skills

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  • Question
    How do I stop skipping words?
    Community Answer
    Don't rush while you are reading. Be calm and concentrate.
  • Question
    Why is it easier for me to read a novel than a textbook?
    Community Answer
    Novels are easier to read for almost everyone. They are made to be pleasant and entertaining, whereas textbooks are made mainly to teach you information. Learning takes more effort than entertainment.
  • Question
    I hardly understand what I am reading and easily forget. I also feel tired when reading. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    It is very common to not understand what you are reading. Give the reading your undivided attention. When you read concepts over and over again, it will enable you get detailed information you need. Write notes in your own words to clarify your understanding. Read a lot to improve your reading skills, including fiction which will usually reassure you that you have no problems understanding, it's more about the difficulty level in textbooks and scientific papers. Have breaks during reading, to give your eyes and mind a rest. Learn to evaluate yourself after every reading, to go over what you did and didn't understand. Most of all, don't feel you have to understand things immediately -- for most people that is unrealistic and it is in the struggle to grasp the meaning that real gains are made and even new insights.
  • Question
    How can I improve my pronunciation?
    Community Answer
    When you read a book or anything else, read out loud to yourself so that you get used to speaking the language. With time, your pronunciation will improve. Don't be scared to reread if talking aloud distracts you from understanding the text but many people find hearing it helps understanding as well.
  • Question
    Sometimes when I read, I mess up and have trouble. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Read more slowly and reread passages you did not understand or read correctly the first time.
  • Question
    How can I learn to concentrate better when I am reading in my mind and not out loud?
    Community Answer
    While reading in your mind, focus on the text in front of you and don't think about anything else. Ask yourself questions about what you've read, so you know you're concentrating.
  • Question
    How can I improve my comprehension if I don't understand a large sentence's meaning?
    Community Answer
    Have a dictionary available to look up words. After finding the meaning of a new word, re-read the sentence or paragraph.
  • Question
    How else do you understand the text?
    Community Answer
    If you are still unable to comprehend the text after taking the above steps, you might want to prepare with a dictionary beside you. Being unable to comprehend the text may be due to the fact that you do not understand the meaning of certain words. Try understanding the words first before reading; it will definitely help a lot more. Also be sure that you can read easily -- undiagnosed dyslexia or a need for reading glasses, for example, can make it harder to understand text.
  • Question
    How I can get the main idea through a long passage?
    Community Answer
    Read one paragraph at a time and summarize it in one sentence. That will help reveal the main idea.
  • Question
    How can I read better silently?
    Community Answer
    Get into the room and close the door. Before you start to read, set up your mind by clearing it of all worries. Just move out all unwanted thoughts from your mind, then breathe in deeply and out deeply a few times to calm down. Concentrate on your reading. It will work well because you are away from the noisiness.
  • Question
    How do I remember what I read?
    Community Answer
    Re-read what you want to remember! Try to write notes, or read out loud.
  • Question
    Is it a good idea to read with a TV or any electronics on?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Some people find that distracting; others don't. Judge for yourself. If you need to absorb what you're reading but are easily distracted, turn off all sound sources.
  • Question
    How can I improve the speed of my reading and find the best book for my reading level?
    Community Answer
    To improve the speed of your reading, make sure you are focused and concentrated on reading alone. You could also try timing yourself. If you want to find the best book for your reading level, focus on stories that involve people in your age group. you could also try looking up recommended books for your age online.
  • Question
    How do I practice reading large words?
    Community Answer
    Break up the word into small chunks that you can read. For eg: CLAUSTROPHOBIC can be broken as "claus-tro-pho-bic." The broken chunks may not make sense but they help in building the word.
  • Question
    I have a habit of hearing the words I read, which slows down my reading speed. If I don't do it, I don't remember much of what I just read. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    There's nothing wrong with reading slowly, so just take your time and continue hearing the words. It's better than going quickly and not remembering anything you read.
  • Question
    How can I obtain 100% in all the subjects?
    Aaron N
    Community Answer
    Obtaining 100% in every single subject may well be impossible. No matter how hard you try, you can't be absolutely perfect all the time. To achieve high grades in general, study often, pay attention in class, and put effort into your work and you will come out of it with great grades.
  • Question
    How can I change my inablility to be interested in what I'm reading, and getting sleepy because of it?
    Community Answer
    Try downloading a smartphone app to listen to the book while you read.
  • Question
    What book can I start with?
    Community Answer
    For a beginning reader, start with a book that has simple words and easy sentences. The book should not have a complex synopsis.
  • Question
    How can I make myself like reading?
    Community Answer
    To start, read consistently; try to read for at least 15-20 minutes per day, if not more. Reading has to become a habit like anything else. If you're having trouble getting interested in your book, then maybe explore some new stories or genres. It's possible that you just aren't a big fan of that style of book in particular.
  • Question
    I'm studying in an open university, where we have no lecturers or facilitators. The management provides us with our course materials (voluminous) and after that comes our exams. I found it so difficult to cope, what should I do about it?
    Community Answer
    Try to highlight the keywords in the book while reading the whole content. In that way, your reading might get better.
  • Question
    What do I do if I read a word and then think of something else and then doze off and forget where I left off? How do I prevent that from happening?
    Community Answer
    Do not think of other subjects. Concentrate on your reading. When you don't understand a word look it up in a dictionary.
  • Question
    How do I get faster at reading but also understand what I read?
    Community Answer
    It's not magic; it requires reading a lot. Each time you read the text, you will interpret it very faster than before. Reading difficult text, at first, is hard. Start by trying to do it from an easier one. Don't rush as it takes a lot of time.
  • Question
    Am I the only one who has never read the Harry Potter series?
    Community Answer
    No, a lot of people have read it.
  • Question
    How do I stop subvocalization while reading?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Subvocalizing is all right if it helps you concentrate. It will slow you down a little, however, and it could be slightly annoying to others. Try putting your fingers or some tape across your lips for awhile if you want to break the habit.
  • Question
    How do I read faster without forgetting what I read?
    Community Answer
    Make a mental note about something related to the info you read. The note should be interesting so you wont forget.
  • Question
    Which kind of books would be easy to read and help me improve my reading skills?
    Community Answer
    Books about things that interest you most will help hold your attention and give you a chance to improve your comprehension. Start off with books geared toward beginner reading levels and work your way to more advanced text when you feel confident.
  • Question
    How can I read well enough to pass?
    Ogar Thomas Adolf
    Community Answer
    You can read well enough to pass by simply going through the course curriculum, having a deep understanding of each topic. Solve examples and get used to the topics.
  • Question
    When reading exams, I understand the text, but nevertheless am very bad in asking the question. Sometimes I cannot find the answer. What can I do to improve?
    Community Answer
    Highlight or underline what information relates to the question. Reword the question with the information after, and quote it if necessary, then explain a bit more after the quote.
  • Question
    I am reading during breaks at school and whenever I have time, but my teacher keeps telling me to read more. What can I do? I am reading whenever I have time.
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    It may be that the real problem is that you are not improving in your reading skills. Perhaps try challenging yourself with a more complex or difficult book that is outside your comfort zone. You could ask your teacher to recommend a book for you if you feel comfortable speaking to them.
  • Question
    Is it important to hold a pencil while I'm reading?
    Community Answer
    No. It can be useful if you plan on making notes about the text you're reading, but otherwise, it's not necessary.
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