Reading isn’t just something you do in school, it’s a skill that can help you out in many aspects of life. Unless you read your mind will remain a blank slate. Have you been finding yourself daydreaming at work? Or working on projects and find that your brain forgets what to do next? It’s time to give yourself a brain boost by becoming a better reader.
I’ve read a lot of posts about the importance of reading, but many areas are never discussed. Message Boards have their own lingo, books you should be reading, etc. It can be overwhelming if you’re not part of this culture. To help you become a better reader here are some tips I’ve learned from contributing on message boards and finding time to read in my hectic lifestyle.
How To Become Better Reader
“Reading is all about opening the universe of humor, of adventure, of romance, of climbing the highest mountain, and of diving in the deepest sea.”
Through reading, a person discovers concepts, new ideas, places, and people. Reading can be a way to reach out to the world for it improves a person’s thinking process. It transports you to another world, a happy beautiful world that you ever dreamed of where you can be selfless and free from all doubts. It is indeed relaxing to the mind and soul.
Here are 9 ways on how to improve your reading or help a person become a better reader:
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1. Take it slow.
If you feel that you are reading too slow compared to others, take it easy because the faster you read the less likely you are able to comprehend. Reading is a lifelong process, learning to read closely and slowly will help you become faster over time. The best readers are flexible-slowing down when needed. So be patient and start at a comfortable reading level.
2. Choose the right time and place to read.
In order for you not to be distracted, first things first. If you have to do something or you have a difficult text to read for your homework it’s probably best to do it first and then find a quiet and comfortable place with good light, and your dictionaries and other materials nearby.
3. Read books that interest you.
You might not want to read a book that you don’t like. Being interested in a topic, will probably higher the chance for you to understand texts that would normally be too difficult. You are much more likely to commit to reading when it is an enjoyable and engaging experience.
4. Expand your vocabulary.
Engage in conversations, play word games, read and every time you encounter a new word, look up for the definition. There is no point in trying to read something you simply are not able to understand or are not interested in. The important idea is to find great things to read that you can enjoy. Read as often and as much as possible with the idea of learning new words always in mind.
5. Use the dictionary sensibly.
Using a concise dictionary when reading can assist vocabulary acquisition. Relying on it may be a big help but sometimes it slows you down so try to avoid using it regularly and use it wisely. You can also understand a word by knowing its usage and by rephrasing the sentence. Try to guess the meaning of the word and with that, you don’t need to look anything up.
6. Read as often as you can.
Read a lot of different kinds of books. Read fiction, romance, mystery or adventure to know your genre. You’ll surely find a book that sparks your interest and an author that will satisfy your taste and exceed your expectation.
7. Access reading materials.
Visit libraries or go to a book store in your area. If you love to read, these places are more than enough for you. Who doesn’t want to read good books! And how much more if it is free, then you must be in cloud nine for that. Take several books with you so that you can have a lot of reading materials to try. Finding a book that interests you is an important step to improving your way of reading.
8. Read with purpose.
Know your reasons for reading. The way you read a certain text or a book depends on your reason for reading it, that’s why it is important to know your reading purpose. Reading test questions for an exam is different from how you read a novel for pleasure purposes.
9. Feel it.
Before you start to read, clear your mind, forget all the worries or the things that troubles you. Remove all the unwanted thoughts in you and concentrate. Reading can take you to another world, you can imagine the looks of the characters and if you set your mind to it, you can even feel the joy or the pain of the character. Just enjoy it! In no time, you’ll be appreciating good and better books.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only once.” – George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
Laugh, cry, be angry, be surprised, or feel scared! If you feel these kinds of emotions when reading or after reading a book, they can show you how to understand and read well. Just feel it and enjoy reading!
“Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it.” – William Faulkner
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