Reading is a skill many people take for granted, but the act
of reading and properly comprehending a text is a complex and interactive
process. It requires several different brain functions to
work together and most often requires one to puzzle through
multiple layers of context and meaning.
Because reading comprehension is so complicated, we can often
find ourselves understanding the most basic interpretation of a text, but
missing the emotional core or the “big picture.” Or we might just find our
brains spinning with no clue at all as to what
a text is attempting to convey.
But luckily for everyone who struggles in English classes, on
standardized tests, or in daily life, reading comprehension can be improved
upon (and it’s never too late to start!). In this guide, I explain step-by-step
how to improve reading comprehension over time and offer tips for boosting your
understanding as you read.
Reading comprehension is the understanding of what a particular text means and the
ideas the author is attempting to convey, both textual and subtextual. In order to read
any text, your brain must process not only the literal words of the piece, but
also their relationship with one another, the context behind the words,
how subtle language and vocabulary usage can impact emotion and
meaning behind the text, and how the text comes together as a larger, coherent
whole.
For instance, let's look
at the first line from Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice: "It is a truth
universally acknowledged that a man in possession of a good fortune, must be in
want of a wife." Now, a completely literal interpretation of the text, just based
on word-meaning, would have us believe that 'all rich men
want wives.' But the context, word choice, and phrasing of the text actually
belie that interpretation. By using the phrases "universally
acknowledged" and "must be in want
of" (emphasis ours), the text is conveying a subtle sarcasm to the words.
Instead of it being an actual truth that 'rich men
want wives,' this one sentence instantly tells us that we're
reading about a society preoccupied with marriage, while also
implying that the opening statement is something people in that society
may believe, but that isn't necessarily true.
In just a few short words, Austen conveys several ideas to the
reader about one of the main themes of the story, the setting, and what the
culture and people are like. And she does so all the while seeming to
contradict the literal words of the piece. Without
practice in reading comprehension, nuances like these can become lost. And so it can
happen that someone may find themselves reading, but not truly comprehending the
full meaning of a text.
As you can see, reading comprehension involves many processes
happening in your brain at once, and thus it can be easy for some aspects of a
text to get lost in the muddle. But the good news for anyone who struggles is that reading
comprehension is a skill just like any other. It must be learned
through practice, focus, and diligence, but it absolutely CAN be learned.
How to Improve Reading
Comprehension
Because reading comprehension is a skill that improves like any
other, you can improve your understanding with practice and a game plan. Dedicate yourself
to engaging in a combination of both "guided" and "relaxed"
reading practice for at least two to three hours a week. Guided
practice will involve structure and focused attention, like learning
new vocabulary words and testing yourself on them, while relaxed practice will
involve merely letting yourself read and enjoy reading without
pressure for at least one to two hours a week. (Note: if you already read for
pleasure, add at least one more hour of pleasure-reading per week.)
By combining reading-for-studying and
reading-for-pleasure, you'll be able to improve your reading skill without
relegating reading time to the realm of "work" alone. Reading is a huge
part of our daily lives, and improving your comprehension should never come at
the cost of depriving yourself of the pleasure of the activity. So what
are some of the first steps for improving your reading comprehension
level?
Step 1: Understand and Reevaluate How you’re Currently Reading.
Before you can improve your reading comprehension, you must
first understand how you’re currently reading and what your limitations
are. Start by selecting excerpts from different texts with which you are
unfamiliar—text books, essays, novels, news reports, or any kind of text you feel you particularly struggle to
understand and read them as you would normally. As you read, see if you can notice when your attention,
energy, or comprehension of the material begins to flag.
If your comprehension or concentration tends to lag after a
period of time, start to slowly build up your stamina. For instance, if you
continually lose focus at the 20 minute mark every time you read,
acknowledge this and push yourself to slowly increase
that time, rather than trying to sit and concentrate on reading for an hour or
two at a stretch. Begin by reading for your maximum amount of focused time
(in this case, twenty minutes), then give yourself a break. Next time, try for
22 minutes. Once you've mastered that, try for 25 and see if you
can still maintain focus. If you can, then try for thirty. If you find that
your concentration or comprehension starts to lag again, take a step back
on your timing before pushing yourself for more. Improvement
comes with time, and it'll only cause frustration if you try to rush it
all at once.
Alternatively,
you may find that your issues with
reading comprehension have less to do with the time spent reading than
with the source material itself. Perhaps you struggle to comprehend the
essential elements of a text, the context of a piece, character arcs or
motivation, books or textbooks with densely packed information, or
material that is heavily symbolic. If this is the case, then be sure to follow
the tips below to improve these areas of reading comprehension
weakness. Improving your reading comprehension level takes time
and practice, but understanding where your strengths and weaknesses stand
now is the first step towards progress.
Step 2: Improve Your Vocabulary
Reading and comprehension rely on a combination of
vocabulary, context, and the interaction of words. So you must be able to
understand each moving piece before you can understand the text as a
whole. If you struggle to understand specific vocabulary, it's
sometimes possible to pick up meaning through context clues (how the
words are used in the sentence or in the passage), but it’s always a good idea
to look up the definitions of words with which you aren't
familiar. As you read, make
sure to keep a running list of words you don't readily recognize
and make yourself a set of flashcards with the words and their
definitions. Dedicate fifteen minutes two or
three times a week to and quizzing yourself on your vocab
flashcards.
To get started, you'll need some blank index
cards and a system to keep them organized. These basic cards are
an affordable option that are also available in fun colors. You can keep them organized
with plastic baggies or rubber bands, or you can get an organizer.
Alternatively, try these easy-flip
flashcards that include binder clips. Though we
strongly recommend making your own flashcards, you can also buy pre-made ones
—the best option is Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know, a series of exercises to master
key words and idioms.
In order to
retain your vocabulary knowledge, you must practice a combination of
practiced memorization (like studying your flashcards) and make a point of using these
new words in your verbal and written communication. Guided
vocabulary practice like this will give you access to new words and their meanings
as well as allow you to properly retain them.
Step 3: Read for Pleasure
The best way to improve your reading comprehension level
is through practice. And the best way to practice is to have fun with
it! Make reading a fun activity, at least on occasion, rather than a
constant chore. This will motivate you to engage with the text and embrace
the activity as part of your daily life (rather than just your study/work
life). As you practice and truly engage with your reading material, improvement
will come naturally.
Begin by reading texts that are slightly below your age and
grade level (especially if reading is frustrating or difficult for
you). This will take pressure off of you and allow you to relax and enjoy the
story. Here are some fun, easy reads that we recommend to get you started:
- Aru Shah and the End of Time by
Roksani Chokshi
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
- Ghost by
Jason Reynolds
- The Westing Game by Ellen
Rankin
- From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
- The Parker Inheritance by
Varian Johnson
- I Am Malala by Malala
Yousafzai
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K .Rowling
Once you feel more comfortable reading and practicing your
comprehension strategies (tips in the next section), go ahead and allow
yourself to read at whatever reading or age level you feel like. Even if you
feel that you don't understand some of the text right now or even a large
portion of it! if you enjoy yourself and give it your best shot, you'll find
that your reading comprehension levels will improve over time.
The Take-Aways
Improving reading comprehension takes time and effort, but
it can be done. Be patient with yourself, work through your reading
comprehension steps, and try not to get frustrated with yourself if
you feel your progress is slow or if you feel you’re “falling behind.” You will utilize your reading
skills throughout your life, so go at a pace that works for you, and take
care to maintain that balance between reading for pure pleasure
and reading for dedicated improvement. As you begin to
incorporate more and more reading into your daily life, you'll find that
comprehension will become easier, and reading will become more fun. In every
piece of text, there are worlds of meaning to explore, and learning how to
uncover them can be the ultimate rewarding journey.
