Active Reading Strategies

Wall Community Library

Active Reading Strategies

by Libbi Sykora

Sometimes when you read a book that is unappealing to you, you find yourself only reading the words, not comprehending them. Active reading is something that will aid you throughout your life. After all, what’s the point of reading anything if you can’t absorb or comprehend it?

Tips for active reading:

1.      Mark or highlight in the book.

Highlight important words or phrases. This will make them easier to find in your book, and it will help you remember important details.

PLEASE do NOT write or highlight in a library book. Something you can do instead is flag important details with small sticky notes. If you use this strategy, please remove all of the sticky notes upon returning the book to the library. (Thank you in advance!)

2.      Ask questions/clarify.

Take time when you read to ask questions. Use the internet to research when the book was written, who wrote it, and why it was written. Use every resource possible to clarify and answer your questions. By asking questions, you can get a better understanding of the literary work.

3.      React and connect.

Listen to your thoughts and feelings as you read. Try to put yourself in the character’s shoes in order to think about how you would react if you were in that position. Make connections to your own life. Can you relate to anything that has happened in the novel?

4.      Visualize.

When you are reading, try to imagine everything in as great detail as possible. Using sensory details to put yourself in the setting of the story.

5.      Predict.

Many authors use clues throughout the novel to highlight themes and hint at what might happen next. Whenever you come across something that might be important, flag it with a sticky note or highlight it. Make predictions about the plot. When you have finished reading, look back and see how close you came with your predictions.

These tips are extremely useful when reading a book for a class or a book discussion group. It will make discussion and comprehension so much easier for you.

Next Wednesday at 6:00 PM, there will be a book discussion about The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Even if you haven’t read the book, stop in and take part in the discussion anyway. If you have seen the video adaptation of this novel, read The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, and/or read The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, you will have plenty of connections to make with The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It is a coming of age novel to which everyone can relate.

If you have any questions, please contact Wall Community Library by any of the following means. We are open at 407 Main Street on Wednesdays from 12-7 PM, Thursdays from 9AM-12:30PM and 1:30PM-5PM, and Fridays from 8AM-1PM. Feel free to call us at (605)-279-2929 or email us at wallcomlib@gwtc.net. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook! Our name in this venue is Wall Community Library.

See you at the book discussion on Wednesday at 6:00 PM!