The Power of Active Reading

How to engage with texts on a deeper level

A lot of reading we do, especially on social media, is passive reading.

Also, sometimes we only want to skim a text, without reading it in depth. We know the subject and want to browse, but we haven’t the time or the deep interest to engage fully.

It’s easy to get into a habit, but sometimes, changing things can be beneficial or even necessary.

For example, students, doctors, researchers, and those who want to have a deeper experience need to take a different approach, and they can benefit from active reading.

How to active reading

Throughout my years of reading, as a mature student, and researching for my technology company I have developed a set of skills that I believe could be helpful to others.

I would like to share some of these tips with you, in the hopes that they may improve your own reading experience.

• Preview the Text: Before diving into the text, take a few minutes to preview it. Read the title, introduction, and any headings or subheadings. This will give you an idea of what the text is about and help you focus your reading.
• Take Notes: Taking notes while reading can help you remember important information and ideas. You could use a notebook but I used sticky notes to jot down key points, questions, or thoughts.
• Highlight or Underline: Highlighting or underlining important information can help you focus on key ideas. Be sure to use a light touch and only highlight or underline the most important information.
• Ask Questions: Asking questions as you read can help you better understand the text. Questions like: What is the main idea? What evidence supports this idea? How does this relate to what I already know?
• Summarise: Take a few minutes to summarise the section you just read in your own words. This can help you remember important information and ensure you understand the text correctly.

By actively engaging with the text, you can gain a deeper understanding of the material and retain more of what you have read.

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