Reading comprehension is a weak point for me. Any recommended strategies to improve it? Especially something that'll help not only for the SAT but for college too!
Sure, enhancing your reading comprehension skills is certainly beneficial for both your SAT performance and your overall academic success in college. Here are few strategies you might find helpful.
1) Preview the Text: Before you delve deep into a long text, do a quick scan first. Look at the title, any subtitles or headings, and if present, check out pictures, diagrams, or graphs. It gives you an idea about the general topic and context, which makes comprehending the details easier.
2) Highlight and Annotate: It's important to stay active as you read - don't just passively glide over the words. Highlight key points and annotate as you go along. This helps in retaining information and draws your attention to crucial portions.
3) Summarize Paragraphs: Try summarizing each paragraph or section of a text after you read it. If you can explain what you read in your own words, that's an indication that you've understood it. This practice strengthens your memory and understanding of the text.
4) Expand Your Vocabulary: At times, comprehending a text can be difficult because you're not familiar with certain words. Regularly learning new vocabulary and understanding their context of usage can make decoding complex sentences much easier.
5) Question What You Read: As you read, ask questions about the text. What is the main argument? What evidence is the author providing? This keeps your mind engaged and forces it to delve deeper into the text.
6) Practice Active Reading: Try to limit distractions when you're reading, so you can fully engage with the text. This might mean putting away your phone, finding a quiet place, or taking breaks if you find your concentration lagging.
Remember, like any other skill, improving reading comprehension takes time and regular practice. Reading a variety of texts — academic articles, novels, newspapers — can also help train your brain to understand different writing styles and structures. Good luck!
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