| Our reading retention rate depends on how active | | | | easier to study later, and one can see at a glance |
| we are in the learning process. It is so common | | | | what it is all about. Your reading retention rate will |
| for someone to sit and read a whole chapter or | | | | be far higher if you are making notes while you |
| section of information, and at the end, not | | | | are reading. |
| remember any of it. Usually that person goes | | | | The other summarizing technique is called the |
| back and starts all over again. This is so | | | | mind map, which is a huge success with millions of |
| frustrating! Not to mention the amount of time | | | | people worldwide. The mind map is the best idea |
| wasted. There are certain things that we can do | | | | for anyone who struggles to remember their |
| to improve our reading retention rate and avoid | | | | work. The most important thing about the mind |
| unnecessary re-reading. | | | | map, is that it is non-linear which facilitates the |
| Before settling in to start reading the first page, | | | | way our brains think. Start with the main concept |
| take a few minutes to develop a strategy plan. | | | | in the centre of the page. This can be a word or |
| Firstly, why the decision to read this information? | | | | a picture representing your main idea or topic. |
| Determine if it is work that you need to study in | | | | From this central point, branch out with the next |
| great detail or perhaps you are searching for | | | | main keyword. Then add further branches with |
| more specific information. The other question that | | | | more detailed keywords relating to the main one. |
| needs to be asked, is what you will be needing | | | | Ideally each branch should have it's own unique |
| the information for. Perhaps for study purposes | | | | color and only one keyword per branch. Once |
| or for wanting to learn how something is done. | | | | again, the use of pictures greatly enhance |
| Maybe you are simply interested in the topic. By | | | | retention. The mind map is a very easy way to |
| asking these questions we prepare our brain and | | | | capture information during the reading process. As |
| remind ourselves exactly what it was that we | | | | it is not in linear form, additional facts can easily |
| want to be remembering. The purpose for the | | | | be added to any of the branches. |
| reading is now established. | | | | For a high reading retention rate we should ideally |
| Much more of the information is remembered if | | | | have been taught summarizing methods as a child. |
| we are more active in our reading. This will involve | | | | From as early as possible, children should learn |
| making summaries while you are reading. There | | | | how to effectively summarize their reading. They |
| are various ways to make summaries, depending | | | | then learn to write ideas in their own words and |
| on the individual's preferences, although all | | | | study better in higher grades. |
| summaries should contain only keywords. Do not | | | | While reading, try to eliminate distractions. Your |
| re-write the textbook! Decide before reading | | | | mind must focus attention on the task at hand. If |
| which will be the best summarizing technique to | | | | you are constantly interrupted, reading retention |
| use. | | | | rate will be low. |
| Write a main heading at the top of your page and | | | | It is best to experiment with a few summarizing |
| then divide the page into three columns. The first | | | | methods to find the one you like the most. Often |
| column is usually for one main keyword, and the | | | | the type of information will also determine the |
| other two columns are for further keywords | | | | summarizing technique best used. Once you have |
| relating to the main one. The use of colors and | | | | become active in your reading, you will be |
| small simple pictures wherever possible is much | | | | pleasantly surprised at how your reading retention |
| encouraged during summarizing. By breaking the | | | | rate has increased. |
| keywords into columns, the work will be much | | | | |