what strategy best describes how to improve understanding of reading material

To improve understanding of reading material, one effective strategy is active reading. Active reading involves engaging with the text in a thoughtful and analytical manner. Here is a step-by-step guide to improving understanding through active reading:

1. Preview the text: Before diving into a reading, take a few moments to glance over the headings, subheadings, pictures, graphs, introductory paragraphs, and summaries. This will give you an idea of the structure and main themes of the material.

2. Set a purpose: Determine what you want to get out of the reading. Are you looking for specific information, trying to understand a concept, or reading for pleasure? Knowing your purpose guides your focus and engagement with the material.

3. Ask questions: As you read, ask yourself questions related to the material. These could be questions provided by the text (like review questions at the end of a chapter) or questions that come to mind naturally. Searching for answers to these questions helps you stay active and engaged while reading.

4. Take notes: Write down important points, concepts, or any thoughts that occur to you as you read. You can underline or highlight key information in the text, but taking separate notes can help in better retaining the information.

5. Summarize sections: After reading a section, take a moment to summarize the main points in your own words. This helps solidify your understanding and recall of the information.

6. Review and reflect: After finishing the reading, review your notes and summaries, and reflect on how the material fits into the bigger picture. Consider how it connects to previous knowledge or how it might be applicable in real-world situations.

7. Discuss with others: Discussing the reading material with others can enhance your understanding. It exposes you to different perspectives and can clarify points of confusion.

8. Space your reading: Instead of trying to read everything in one session, space it out. This allows the spacing effect to aid memory retention. By reviewing material over time, you can improve long-term understanding.

Using this strategy helps in engaging with the text at a deeper level and allows for better comprehension and retention of the material you are reading.