Read to Understand More (Part 3)
Blog Series Intention Recap
John Maxwell likes to point out: All leaders are readers. This blog series aims to provide the reader with some tips to help them understand what they are reading better. The more you understand, the more you can incorporate what you learn into your leadership.
This post is part of the series “Read Better.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into week #3:
Tips for Better Reading Comprehension
Supercharge Your Reading Skills with These Easy Tips!
Why does it matter:
Check Understanding: Pause after each paragraph to ensure you comprehend.
Read Out Loud: Practice reading aloud to improve comprehension and speaking skills.
Reward Yourself: Use small rewards to make reading more enjoyable.
Going Deeper
Reading is one of the best ways to learn and grow. Whether you’re reading for school or just for fun, understanding what you read is important. Good reading comprehension can help you get more out of your books and enjoy them more. Here are the last three of my eleven tips to help you become a better reader.
Check Your Understanding After Every Paragraph
One great way to make sure you understand what you’re reading is to pause after every paragraph and ask yourself, "Do I know what I just read?" This simple habit can help you catch any confusion early on, so you don’t get lost as you continue reading.
When you finish a paragraph, you can take a moment to think about it. What was the main idea? Are there any important details you need to remember? If something doesn’t make sense, go back and read it again. Don’t wait until the end of the book to check your understanding. Doing this after each paragraph can make the whole book easier to understand.
This method is especially helpful when you’re reading complex or challenging texts. By breaking it down into smaller parts, you can manage the information more easily. It also helps you stay focused and engaged with the text.
Read Out Loud
Reading out loud is another effective way to improve your comprehension. It may slow you down a bit, but it helps you focus on each word and sentence. This can be especially helpful if you’re reading something difficult or if you’re preparing to speak about the text.
When you read out loud, you engage more of your senses. You see the words, you hear them, and you speak them. This multi-sensory approach can help you understand and remember the text better. Plus, it’s great practice if you need to read something out loud for a class or a presentation.
If you manuscript your sermons or speeches, practicing reading out loud is even more important. It helps you get comfortable with the material and improves your speaking skills. Try reading a few paragraphs out loud each day to build this habit.
Reading out loud can also help you notice the rhythm and flow of the text. You’ll become more aware of punctuation and how sentences are structured. This awareness can improve your writing skills as well as your reading comprehension.
Reward Yourself
Rewards can make reading more fun and motivate you to keep going. After you finish a chapter or reach a reading goal, give yourself a small reward. It could be a piece of candy, a short break, or anything else you enjoy.
Setting up a reward system can turn reading into a game. You’ll look forward to your reading time and feel proud of your accomplishments. Rewards can also help you push through more challenging texts. Just remember to keep the rewards small and enjoyable, so they don’t distract you from your reading.
Rewards can also serve as a way to celebrate your progress. If you’re working on a difficult book, breaking it into smaller goals with rewards can make the process less daunting. Each reward becomes a milestone on your journey through the book.
Combining the Tips
Combining these tips can create a powerful strategy for improving your reading comprehension. Start by setting a goal for your reading session. Decide how many pages or chapters you want to read. As you read, pause after each paragraph to check your understanding. If something doesn’t make sense, re-read it or take notes.
Try reading difficult passages out loud. This will help you focus and understand the material better. Finally, reward yourself when you reach your reading goal. This can keep you motivated and make reading more enjoyable.
How does all of this help me understand more?
Reading is a wonderful way to learn and have fun. It opens up new worlds, introduces you to different ideas, and helps you grow as a person. But to truly enjoy and understand what you read, it’s important to develop good reading habits. Here’s a quick recap of the tips we’ve covered:
Check Understanding: Pause after each paragraph to ensure you comprehend. This helps catch confusion early and keeps you on track.
Read Out Loud: Practice reading aloud to improve comprehension and speaking skills. This multi-sensory approach helps you focus and understand better.
Reward Yourself: Use small rewards to make reading more enjoyable and motivate yourself. This can turn reading into a fun and rewarding activity.
By following these tips, you can enhance your reading comprehension and make your reading experience more enjoyable. Remember, reading should be a journey of discovery and joy. Each book is an opportunity to learn something new, see the world from a different perspective, and get lost in a captivating story.
So, pick up a book, check your understanding, read out loud, and reward yourself. Embrace the adventure that reading brings. Happy reading!
