How to Increase Your Reading Skills (And Get Better Grades)

In an earlier article, I talked about how you needno higher than "C." We agreed that it wasn't
to plan your reading using a proven three-stepenough reward for so big an effort .
process. In this article we'll expand on thatStephanie's repeated readings had followed an
process.identical pattern that brought nothing new to light.
First, let's recap the three steps to followThey were little better than a single reading would
whenever you have a significant amount ofhave been. Her underlinings left the author's ideas
homework reading:in the author's own words, robbing Stephanie of
1. Skim through the entire assignment.needed experience in expressing the idea for
Get a general idea of what it is about.herself. Stephanie hadn't learned that underlining
2. Read the assignment rapidly.should be used mainly for those rules or definitions
Remembering what you discovered in step #1,that must be memorized in the exact words of
search for key ideas as well as an understandingthe textbook.
of what the author has written. Now you areStephanie's method of outlining followed the
studying while you read.pattern of the textbook completely. Chapter
3. Read for exact meanings.headings and paragraph headings as well as
Having fitted the big idea and the informationimportant statements were literally copied from
together, associate these precise meanings withthe book.
larger items in the general outline. This linking ofUnfortunately, Stephanie was getting no practice
ideas is not only a sound learning plan but is basicin organizing materials through this process. She
in training your memory.was neither learning nor preparing her memory
In addition to this, the sensible thing to do is tofor exam day.
make short notes, in your own words, of pointsCertain improvements in Stephanie's reading habits
you feel are important.were suggested, including the three-step reading
Write these notes in a notebook, write them inplan outlined at the beginning of this article.
the margin of the book, but write them clearlyIt was also suggested that Stephanie start talking
and in an orderly manner somewhere so you canto herself. This idea startled her for sure. She was
refresh your mind before exam time without aassured that it would not mean that she was
complete re-reading of all of the material. Thisgoing off the deep end.
writing in your own words is practice for whatIt was pointed out to her that it's a habit,
you will be called upon to do later on tests andconsciously and purposefully employed, that would
reports.help her clarify her thoughts.
The above suggestions may soundFact is, talking to yourself forces your brain to
time-consuming rather than time saving. Whatdigest an idea. If you cannot put it into words,
makes them more efficient than many otheryou don't understand it - or at least you won't be
techniques is the fact that they are based uponable to prove to the teacher that you understand
sound principles of learning and remembering. Giveit. Verbal expression is the test of fire. By the
them a fair trial and you too will find that they notway, Stephanie eventually worked her way up to
only work but save time as well.an "A."
The following anecdote shows what can be gainedCONCLUSION
by substituting these habits for less efficient ones.Obviously, there is a good bit more to the
Stephanie had a familiar tale of woe. Her habitbusiness of reading than being able to devour the
was to read her economics lesson three or fourpages of the book rapidly. Good reading is an
times. She went through and underlined what heorganized undertaking requiring preparation,
thought were the most important sentences. Justpurpose, discipline and drill. Keep improving your
before tests, she outlined the materials in eachreading skills through conscious effort.
chapter. The result of all this work was a grade