Leisure Reading 101
Lesson 3: Mastering Your Comprehension
Learn how to read effectively
In response to the title of this lesson, most people will say, “I know how to read; what is the point?” And my answer will be quite simple: Do you read effectively? And do you know what type of reader you are?” Then the perplexed facial expression appears and the shrug of the shoulders. An opportunity has arrived for insight to filter in and show the wonderful benefits of knowing what type of reader you are and enjoying the benefits of effective reading.
But first we must review the different levels of reading for your understanding, please take out a note pad and pen and make notes because I will be referencing these levels of reading during the duration of this course.
Ok let's begin:
* ELEMENTARY READING: Level One
From non-literacy to literacy a person reaches this level with basic training of the alphabet and simple reading skills. Readers at this level are able to read a sentence but not define it. For example, in the beginning stages of learning a new language, you are taught to learn basic words and then precede to break down the language and meaning.
*INSPECTIONAL READING: Level Two
Limited time is the reason for this type of reading. We all perform this type, some more than others. This level of reading is mostly for gaining quick information on a book, memo, letter, long in-depth email, etc. Inspectional reading is the art form of skimming systematically. For example, you might skim a book to see what it is about. What major sections/parts are compiling this book in a whole? Is it worth my time and money to further read the book? What type of book is this, fiction, non-fiction, mathematics, etc.?
*ANALYTICAL READING: Level Three
This is more a systematic activity then the previous levels but it is the most rewarding. For me, I stay mostly in this level most of the time due to my passion for books and because I review books for literary sources. This level is a thorough reading, complete reading or good reading with unlimited time or sufficient time for you to complete it. Here you are savoring the flavor and digesting the book with the purpose of understanding it completely. This level also puts you in the second component of our formula, enjoying the reading experience. You have gained more understanding of this topic, genre, and subject.
Reading: for information + understanding = enjoyment of the reading experience
*SYNTOPICAL READING: Level Four
At this level you have reached a higher intellectual purpose to read on a particular subject matter with great intensity. I often stay at this level with my own books that I am writing and need to research other related titles to draw my final conclusion. It is very rewarding. This level of reading is complex and systematic because you are reading many books authored by many writers to compare the same or different points of arguments. Synoptically reading is constructing an analysis of the subject matter, either in agreement to all the authors or of the reader's own final interpretation.
For this exercise I will be focusing on level two to level four types of reading as you progress to read more effectively.
For the most part we all have skimmed a magazine or pamphlet to find out what news it holds or what is the story behind the cover blurb to entice you to read it. Or there are our emails from work, that take up time from our busy workday but we are afraid to delete or ignore them because we don't want to miss vital information. Then there is the book that friends are telling you to read and you are undecided about buying it because it's so long.
Well at this level, you will master the effective ways to skim or pre-read content for you to make that final decision: To completely read or buy or not to completely read or buy.
First you must learn to ask important questions that will lead to the final decision. What types of questions would apply that prevent us from being bombarded with reading material? Well, I have below outlined them for you.
Let's start with emails.
EMAILS:
I often read the subject heading before I open it. This allows me to immediately know if it is warranted for review. Most people open every note and then read the sometimes-lengthy content. Time is everything and this is very time consuming.
Once the email passes that test to get my further attention, I always read whom it is addressed too. For example, my name is Nichel, so if it is addressed to Bob it is deleted and I move own. And this is mostly the case with sales pitches in the sentence. No, no...don’t be nosy and read the note, but you can reply back to the sender and indicate that you are not the one they are trying to reach.
If the email passes the second test, I will read a couple of sentences only - no more than five. This will tell me the tone, mood, purpose, and conclusion of the email almost always. I use this practice all the time especially because I get so many responses in my soliciting to review books and other writing assignments.
If the email passes this test, I then will skip to the very end of the note. Here the conclusion to my inspectional reading will confirm or deny my initial conclusion. And if it seems productive, I will then reach my final decision...to read the complete email fully.
BOOKS:
This can be done the same way but you have to be consistent with your questions to receive your answer.
Take these steps:
Find out who is the author and publisher. This is a dead give away if this will be a good read. Not sure of who are the hottest authors and most well-known publishers out there? Then you must start turning the pages of your local newspapers or go online to find the NY Times Best Seller lists. Keep track of how many times a particular author makes the lists and who publishes them.
Look for the table of contents. This is a sure way to provide you insight into what this book is all about. If it is a fiction title then read the back copy or the inside flap. Then open the book in the middle and read a paragraph. If the author can’t pull you in by the ears then 9 times out of 10 you can wait to get the book when it goes on sale -- this method always works. For instance, Sidney Sheldon is my almost favorite because every time I use this technique and buy Sheldon’s book, I am never wrong. The book is always worth the money and time.
Check out the number of pages, this will give you the answer to if you have enough time to read the book. Be honest. Think of anything that could jeopardize your completing the book.
If you and the book make it this far, then you can take another page and read it. But remember you are skimming or pre-reading. For example read the line at the top of the page skim, then jump to the middle and read four to five lines, and then to the end. Get a feel for the book.
After completing these steps you can answer the questions of what type of book it is, either fiction or non-fiction, which is the author, what is the plot, etc.
This will come once you have made the final decision to completely read the contents or to buy the book. At this level of reading mastery, you must answer the question “What is this book about?” Your answer will determine how you should proceed. If it is a relatively easy fiction title, you can probably say it will take no time to dissect it, especially if it is a topic you are familiar with. However, if it is new to your arena of study then more analytical techniques are needed and you will gain more insight, leading to a higher level of understanding. In this level you are aiming to answer these questions.
-- What is this book about?
Look for the title of the book and the synopsis on the back copy.
-- What is being stated by the author and how?
Locate the author’s main ideas, the arguments leading to the author’s message.
-- Do you agree with the author that the book is true in its entirety?
This question is answered after you have actively made this book your own and know the integral parts that make up the book.
-- Is the book of importance?
Here you must decide if the book is of importance and if you accept the information that the author is providing. Did you reach a higher learning by the points outlined or how the characters interacted throughout the story?
At this level you are more than determined to further your learning by reading more books on this subject, either non-fiction or fiction titles to expand your awareness of this subject matter/genre. On this level, dealing with non-fiction, your primary goal is to conclude what are your final thoughts on the matter and either you are in an agreement or disagreement. For fiction, you are on the course to determine if you really like Science Fiction and Fantasy or if you prefer literary fiction.
The key to becoming erudite in literature is reading more titles that specialize in the your area of interest to master knowing the best from the not so best.
Let's proceed to the next exercise:
"Learn how to speed read and reap the benefits"
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