There is passive reading and then there is active reading. Passive reading is when you’re reading with no particular purpose or plan in mind, while active reading requires you to engage with the text and learn from what you read. When you’re a passive reader, you may not have questions about the author’s main ideas or approach to a topic. In active reading, you are thinking about these things. To get more out of what you read, try active reading. Here are some ways to do it.
Take Notes as You Read
One way to engage in active reading is to take notes as you read. This is how I read books, and it has helped me better understand the material. For each chapter, write the name of the chapter and proceed to read the chapter. Write down key concepts from each chapter that stood out the most to you. After you’ve finished reading the book, go over your notes and study them. You can also write practice questions based on your notes.
What Are the Author’s Main Ideas?
A huge part of active reading is understanding the author’s main ideas and arguments. The introduction and the first two to three chapters often lay the foundation for understanding the author’s main ideas and thesis statement. Pay close attention to these chapters and take extensive notes. It’s also good to read the conclusion because it offers insight into the main ideas and arguments. Identify important concepts and supporting evidence that support the main idea. Even better, research those points yourself to determine if the author’s points are sufficient to support his claims and thesis statements.
Think Critically As You Read
Active reading also means that you approach the text critically. Some questions to ask and answer in your notes are:
- According to whom is this true?
- What authority and experience does the author have to make his claims?
- Which beliefs and evidence contradict the author’s claims, and how?
- Under which circumstances are the author’s claims invalid?
- Is there any bias in the author’s arguments?
Research the answers, and then you’ll have a more complex understanding of the material. You may also come to disagree with the author after doing your research about the author’s points. This is a good thing because you’re learning not to accept what authors say at face value. You’re becoming a critical thinker and a more active reader.
Build on Existing Knowledge You Have
If you’re knowledgeable on the topic discussed in the book or article, use this knowledge to better understand what you read. If the book is about the roots of jazz music in New Orleans and you’re a New Orleans native, chances are you grew up learning about the history of jazz music in this city. Build on your current knowledge by remembering key figures and periods related to jazz history. These include legends such as Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, and Jelly Roll Morton. You may also remember learning about Storyville, an early 20th-century entertainment district in New Orleans where many jazz pioneers performed.
Explain the Book To Someone Else
If you can explain the book to someone else and present informed opinions on it, you’re on your way to becoming an active reader. Sit with a relative or friend who may be interested in the book you read. Then summarize and explain the most important highlights in the book, and state your agreements and disagreements with the author’s points. Talk about the lessons you learned from the book and any actions you plan to take because of what you learned.
Graphic Organizers Help With Active Reading
Another idea is to use graphic organizers to help you understand the text and organize your goals for reading the material. There are different types of graphic organizers, and here is a breakdown of some of them.
The Venn diagram is used to compare and contrast certain characters, periods, viewpoints, belief systems, key events, and other topics presented in the text you read. You draw two circles blended. One side of the circle lists similarities while the other side lists the differences. The loop in the middle of the blended circle is where you write things that both have in common.
The tree is a graphic organizer that has the main topic in the top box, and a host of subtopics and other ideas are in the boxes underneath the main topic. This gives you a visual understanding of what the text is about, and it works well for visual learners who need more clarity about how to navigate the text.
The spider web graphic has the main idea in the center, and then other circles surround it. You’ll write supporting claims and evidence in the outer circles. It simplifies the active reading process for essays, magazine articles, and blog posts.
Create a Misconception Chart
With a misconception chart, on one side of the chart, you’re writing a list of assumptions and initial beliefs you had before reading the text, and in the second column, you’re writing how the text clarified or debunked your original beliefs. This helps you confront your personal biases you hold and how the new information shapes your ideas on certain aspects of life.
Use the Think, Pair, and Share Method
If you and a classmate are reading the same book, use the think, pair, and share method. Both of you will read a certain chapter or chapters, and then you’ll meet with your classmate to discuss your opinions about the text before sharing with the rest of the class. This strategy lets you collaborate with another person, and you’ll get a different perspective on what the text is about.
Active Reading Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult
Active reading enables you to get more out of what you read. You’re able to understand the author’s message in meaningful ways, and you’ll learn to be a critical thinker. Finally, you can apply the lessons you learned through new actions and regular habits that will improve your life.