Reading Comprehension
Image: thoughtco.com
Based in New York, Ellen Scharaga is an operational consultant for Alegria Specialty Pharmacy, a company that assists patients and physicians alike by developing new medicine for treating chronic ailments. In her leisure time, Ellen Scharaga pursues a variety of interests, such as reading.
Reading carries with it a number of benefits, including stress reduction. People can make their reading time even more valuable by learning how to maximize their comprehension levels. Here are a few tips:
1. Monitor endurance
Next time you sit down with a book, read as you do normally but pay attention to when your focus starts to fade. Determine the time span and use that as a baseline. If the time was 20 minutes, for example, begin reading in 20-minute increments and slowly start increasing the time each day. This will help build reading endurance.
2. Keep a vocabulary list
Unfamiliar words can create a major barrier to reading comprehension. One strategy is to begin keeping a vocabulary list, noting not only definitions but also the context in which each word appears. By learning more words, readers can turn obstacles into strong points as they continue reading.
3. Read out loud
Another issue that limits or prevents reading comprehension is the mental distractions that occur. This can happen very easily because people mostly read silently. To address this issue, try reading out loud, which helps the brain focus more closely on the task at hand.
Ellen Scharaga 