How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension

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Trying to read Dickens and have no idea when the one character appeared and became the main character? Trying to follow Doctor Zhivago, and don't have a clue who is who? Read this to help!

Steps

1. Find any type of paper. If you're reading for a class, try a notebook. But if you're reading for fun, get as many pieces of paper as you think you'll need for the story and of course, grab a pen or pencil.
   
2. Pick out the story and take some time away from your hectic daily life to sit and read the book. Leave yourself enough time that you aren't rushed, and read in more shorter sittings if you have any trouble concentrating.
   
3. Eliminate distractions. Turn off the music and the TV. Flee to the library or the bathroom, if that's where you can have peace and quiet to read.
   
4. Take notes on EVERYTHING. Anytime anything major happens, a new character is introduced or some odd detail that sticks out. Anything that you could read and figure out what's going on in the story.
   
   • Don't rewrite the novel. On the other hand, don't write so few notes that you can't follow what was going on chronologically in the story at a given point.
     
   • Try writing down characters and their relationships on one page and a basic time line for the story on another page. Draw a family tree, if it helps.
     
   
   
5. Read back through your notes occasionally, making sure they make sense. Also re-read to make sure you're paying attention. Did he let the cat out the back door for a reason, or was the author just trying to fill space?
   
6. For one story, if it is long or you should keep them for a class, put them in a folder, binder or notebook. Keep them together so that you can refer to them later.
   
7. If you are reading factual information, such as a textbook or a newspaper, use the organization of the piece to guide you.
   
   • Look at the table of contents.
     
   • Read section headings and titles.
     
   • Read summaries, introductions, and conclusions. These will have clues about what parts are especially important.
     
   • Look for the main idea in each section you read. Often, it will come first or early in the section. Jot down these main ideas when taking notes.
     
   
   
8. If you are reading for a class, you have another set of clues available to you. Pay attention to the following and use them to help guide your focus as you read:
   
   • The syllabus or class outline.
     
   • The homework assignment(s). If you know there's a question coming about a particular character, for instance, you will know to pay attention to that character.
     
   • What the instructor emphasizes in class.
     
   • Any available sample tests or quizzes on this material. You may be able to get these from student groups, from your instructor, or from the text or reader.
     
   
   

Tips

• A good idea would be to create a page for each character so that each character can have his/her own details, so you can see the character deeper throughout the whole story rather than remembering only him/her at certain parts.
  
• Write down words you don't know, or interesting phrases on their own pages. You'll probably want to check the meanings of the words later, and you never know if you could use those phrases.
  
• Try reading lots of different things. Practice on fun stuff, even if it's graphic novels or your favorite magazine.
  
• Learn what works best for you, whether that is locking yourself in your room, reading out loud. Try many different approaches.
  
• Ask questions. If this is assigned reading and you don't understand something you have read, discuss it with classmates or a teacher or parent. If it's not assigned, consider finding a discussion group, real or online, or a
  
• If you are running behind in your reading for a class, it can be more valuable to take a high-level tour of a chapter, reading perhaps headings and introductory sentences and paragraphs, than to comb through every word.
  
• Get the Cliff's Notes. Many well-known classics have notes or guides available. Use these notes as a supplement to help aid your understanding of a difficult-to-read work.
  

Warnings

• Genuine reading difficulties often go undiagnosed or unheeded. If practice, note taking and study habits you have been diagnosed
  
• Do NOT use Cliff's Notes or similar supplementary material as a substitute for doing required reading.
  
• If you use ideas from published notes or criticisms in any writing assignments you do, know the rules about citations and plagiarism. You will not fool your instructor by parroting something that has already been written.
  

Related wikiHows

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• How to Understand the Book You Are Reading
  
• How to Learn Speed Reading
  
• How to Love Reading
  
• How to Make Time to Read a Book when You're Busy
  

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