Reading for Understanding

Reading for Understanding

Grasping the Basics

• Start by reading the text in a relaxed, casual manner to get a feel for the story, key characters, places, and events.
• Don’t worry about getting everything on the first read. Sometimes, it’s the second or even the third reading that allows the depth of a text to emerge.

Going Deeper

• Go through the text again, highlighting key phrases or sentences that seem significant or raise questions.
• Look for clues in the text about the author’s perspective and intentions.

Analyzing the Text

• Examine any bold, italic, or underlined sections of the text, as these often hold significant meaning.
• Highlight or note any repeated words or themes throughout the text that may be significant to the meaning of the work.

Making Connections

• Look for ways the text connects to its historical, cultural, or social context.
• Try to identify any assumptions or beliefs the text seems to be reinforcing or challenging.

Interpreting the Text

• Consider what the text might be saying on a deeper, metaphorical level.
• Remember that there can often be multiple, valid interpretations of a text.

Evaluating the Text

• Reflect on how the text made you feel and why it might have been written.
• Develop a reasoned evaluation of the text that takes into account its complexity and subtleties.