Understand Complex Reading

At times, some readings are very complex and you do not understand it using your regular reading strategies (see other topics in this section). At these times, try the following:

Read It Again - some material is extremely difficult, such as technical writing in science texts. Do not despair, set it down. When you return to the assignment, read it with fresh eyes.

Look For Essential Words - mentally cross out all the adjectives and adverbs and read the sentences without them. Find the important words - usually verbs and nouns.

Hold A Minireview - pause briefly to summarize what you have read so far (verbally or in writing). Stop at the end of each paragraph and recite in your own words, what you have just read. Create a short outline in your notes.

Read It Aloud - read a passage out loud several times, using different inflection and emphasizing a different part of the sentence. Be creative and imagine you are the author talking.

Use Your Instructor - admit you are stuck and make an appointment with the instructor. Be specific about your confusion and point out the paragraph you find most confusing.

Stand Up - change positions to combat fatigue. Experiment with standing as you read, especially when you get stuck.

Find A Tutor - either through the RCC or other campus services. If none are available for your class, ask a peer in-class.

Use Another Text - find a similar text or article on the topic in the library or on the Internet. Sometimes a concept is easier to understand if expressed in another way.

Pretend You Understand, Then Explain It - explain it to another person or yourself. Write it down. You might be amazed at what you know.

Ask: "What's Going On Here ?" stop reading for a moment when your are stuck and diagnose what's happening. Write stuck in the margin of the text. You may find a pattern over several pages of reading.

Source: Becoming a Master Student: Tenth Edition

 

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