标签:
杂谈 |
分类: 个人观点 |
Expert Reviewed
How to Be a Good Reader
Many people enjoy reading as a way to relax and enrich their minds.
Reading is also an increasingly critical skill to learn and develop
to be successful in school and in the professional world.[1] By
gathering the right reading materials, employing a few strategies
to increase your skills, and maintaining a positive attitude, you
can improve your reading or help a child become a better
reader.
Part One of Three:
Improving Your Reading Skills
1
Start at a comfortable reading level. You can advance to more
difficult reading materials from there. If you attempt to read
material that is too challenging initially you are more likely to
become discouraged. While challenging yourself to read at a more
advanced level is a wonderful goal, studies have shown that if you
allow yourself to become discouraged while reading you will be less
likely to achieve that goal in the long run.[2]
Skim the first few pages. If you have trouble understanding what
the author is trying to say, you may not enjoy the book.
If you have chosen a book with a very narrow focus, like a
scientific work or a specific historical treatise, you might want
to instead familiarize yourself with books on more general topics
first.
Use the five finger rule. Pick a book, and read the first two or
three pages. Put one finger up for every word you can't pronounce
or don't know the meaning of. If you've put up 5 or more fingers,
the book is probably too hard. Educators have been using this
method for years, and it can be applied for children as well as
adults.[3]
2
Expand your vocabulary. Building a greater vocabulary will make
reading easier and more fun in the future. The more words you are
exposed to, the more your vocabulary will grow.
If you don't understand a word, first try to use context clues to
figure out what it means. Frequently, the rest of the words in a
sentence will offer hints about what a particular word means.
Look up words in the dictionary that you do not recognize or
understand. Write down these words to review later to solidify them
in your memory and make them a part of your vocabulary. Keep of a
collection of these words for your own reference.
Use new words you learn in your everyday speech. Putting words into
action in your everyday life will ensure that you remember
them.
3
Practice, practice, practice. Studies have shown that people who
spend more time reading, and take in a greater volume of reading
material, develop a more extensive vocabulary and greater reading
comprehension. This improves their ability to take in knowledge
more generally.[4]
As with anything else, developing reading skills takes work. Set
aside time to read every day. Literacy experts disagree about
exactly how much time you should devote to reading, given that it
varies according to age, skill level, and ability. A good rule to
remember, however, is consistency. Try to read every day. If you
need to take frequent breaks while reading, go ahead. Even while
practicing, reading should be an enjoyable experience.
Take a book with you on a morning bus or train commute, or read on
your lunch break. Having access to reading materials during moments
of down time makes it more likely that you will read
regularly.
Read the words out loud. Reading out loud, alone or to someone, can
improve how you read and spell. However, don’t
force a nervous reader to read aloud, especially in a group
setting. Fear of shame and humiliation can make some unsure readers
dread the experience.
Visualize the story, pay attention to the introduction of
characters and places. Try to see each in your mind. "Seeing" the
story will make it more real to you and easier to remember.
Part Two of Three:
Making Reading Fun
1
Read materials that interest you. You are much more likely to
commit to reading when it is an enjoyable and engaging experience.
If you are bored while reading, you are more likely to put the book
down and engage in a different activity.[5]
Find books related to your hobbies, career goals, or a topic that
piques your curiosity. There are books that cover every topic
imaginable, and the availability of local libraries, bookstores,
and the Internet means that all of them are at your
fingertips.
Don't limit yourself to just monographs. Comic books and graphic
novels are a great way to get children and young adults hooked on
reading. Collections of short stories are a good option for those
who don't want to commit to reading a longer work.
Read magazines that cover your areas of interest. Whether your
interests are in motorcycle maintenance, gardening, bird watching,
or 19th-century architecture, there is a magazine that caters to
you. Many of these contain lengthy, well-sourced articles.
2
Create a pleasant reading environment. The more you associate
reading with comfort and relaxation the more likely you are to
continue developing your reading skills. Reading can become a
treat, rather than a chore.
Find a quiet place to read so that you aren’t
disturbed. Avoid distractions like TV or the radio, or other people
prone to disturbing you. Make sure it is somewhere with good
lighting where you can relax. Hold the book about 15 inches away
from your face (approximately the distance from your elbow to your
wrist).[6]
Make a cozy and fun reading area. A nicely lit corner with
comfortable pillows creates a great ambiance for reading.
If you are helping someone read, stay positive! Negative feedback
will only discourage a fledgling reader, so keep the environment
upbeat.
3
Make reading a social experience. Reading doesn't have to be a
solitary pursuit, and can be even more enjoyable when shared with
others.
Start a book club with friends. Making reading a social experience
can inspire you to continue to improve. Friends can also provide
encouragement for each other.
Start an online blog reviewing the latest books you have read.
Encourage others to dialogue about their opinions of the
work.
Go to a coffee shop or cafe readers frequent. Seeing others reading
can inspire you, or expose you to interesting titles. Strike up a
conversation with a fellow patron about what they have been
reading.
Consider taking a class at your local college, community college,
or community center. You can learn a new skill, study a topic that
interests you, and practice your reading skills at the same
time.
Read interesting passages to family or friends. You might encourage
them to improve their reading as well.
4
Make reading a family affair. If you can establish reading as a
regular and normal activity in your household, all members of your
family will be encouraged to be better readers. It will also allow
you to practice your reading skills.
Parents can help their children be good readers by reading to them
when they are young. Reading to children helps them develop
language and listening skills, which prepares them to understand
the written word.[7]
Keep books handy in your household and keep age-appropriate books
accessible to children to peruse on their own. Even if a child
cannot read on their own yet, establishing initial skills for
reading—such as how to correctly hold a book and
turn the pages—is an important step to becoming a
reader.
Family reading time can provide a moment to bond with your
children. Life can be very hectic, and it is often difficult to set
aside quality time with your family. Try to schedule a moment to
read with your children everyday as part of your routine.
Be patient if your child begins to favor one book and wants to read
it over and over again. A favorite story could be offering your
child comfort or appealing to a particular interest they have at
the moment. Also, re-reading the same words and sentences
repeatedly helps your child begin to recognize words by
sight.[8]
Part Three of Three:
Accessing Reading Materials
1
Visit your local library. Public libraries offer free and unlimited
access to remarkable collections of reading materials and other
types of media and technology. Getting a library card is easy and
usually just requires a photo ID, although some libraries may also
require proof that you live in the area, such as a utility
bill.[9]
Libraries are wonderful places to find a variety of books and
librarians are there to help. Trained in how to most effectively
help you make the most of your library experience, librarians are a
resource you should not overlook. Ask the librarian for suggestions
for books on a specific topic, or a more general genre, or to help
you find a particular title.
Finding materials that interest you is an important first step in
improving your reading. Read the backs of books or the inside of
the dust jacket for a brief summary of the plot. Usually, you will
be able to tell right away if a book will not sustain your
interest.
Most libraries allow you to check out more than one title at once.
Take home several books to give yourself a variety of reading
materials to try.
2
Go to a bookstore in your area. Decide which type of bookstore can
best suit your needs before setting out. Areas around college
campuses and urban areas are more likely to contain a variety of
bookstores to visit.
Larger chain bookstores carry everything from self-help books, to
novels, to academic publications. If you are not sure what you are
looking for, this type of larger bookstore can provide many
different types of reading materials to help you narrow your
search.
If your interests are more specific, look for a bookstore that
caters to the type of book that appeals to you. Children's
bookstores are designed to offer a more relaxed and fun environment
for younger readers.
Buying from a small local bookstore is a good way to support local
business in your community. You can find some unique books in these
smaller stores, like work by local authors who have not been
featured nationally.
Ask bookstore employees for recommendations. Usually, people who
work in or own bookstores are there because they love to read. You
will likely get a wide range of recommendations from them.
3
Check out garage sales or thrift stores. You don't have to go to
the library or spend a lot of money to find good books. Used books
are available for just a few dollars, sometimes even for the change
you have in your pocket.
4
Check out garage sales or thrift stores. These offer easy ways to
peruse reading material for interesting titles or collections.
Sometimes people offer to sell off collections as an entire
set.
Be careful when buying used or second-hand books to check the book
thoroughly before buying it for missing or damaged pages. Flip
through the entire book to make sure it is not badly torn or water
damaged.
Feel free to negotiate on the price of a book or other reading
material you come across at a garage sale. Sometimes the person
selling the book is unaware of internal damage to pages that would
decrease the price for the item.
5
Go online. You can easily find discount books or reading material
on the internet, without even leaving home. You can also download
e-books and other forms of media to take with you.
Used books are available through most major online retailers. Used
books are substantially less expensive than new, and most sellers
provide an assessment of the state of the book in terms of wear and
tear, and internal notations or highlighting.
More and more information is available for free online. Find a
website or blog that interests you and follow it. You can easily
find blogs online that include book reviews, which could lead you
to explore other books and authors.
Consider getting a portable reading device for easy access to
digital material. Although there is nothing like holding a book in
your hand, digital devices make it easier than ever to carry
several different e-books with you in one small place, which could
save you from carrying around heavy books and magazines.
Many public libraries now allow you to "check out" e-books for free
for a certain period of time, such as two weeks.
Community Q&A
How do I learn to to enjoy reading? Answered by wikiHow
Contributor
Read a lot of variety to find an author, genre, series, etc. that
sparks your interest.
How can I learn to make reading fun? Answered by wikiHow
Contributor
Choose a book that matches your interests, and whenever you finish
a chapter give yourself a reward. Read in a comfortable place with
no distractions.
How can I read then understand without forgetting in the future?
Answered by wikiHow Contributor
Just read with interest and catch the depth of what you're reading,
and it should stay with you.
Does reading have any disadvantages? Answered by wikiHow
Contributor
No, as long as you're not neglecting responsibilities, self-care,
etc. in favor of reading. Be sure to periodically give your eyes a
break as well, by looking away from the book and off into the
distance.
Is it wrong to read several books at a time? Answered by wikiHow
Contributor
Not at all, as long as you have the ability to keep details
straight. It can get muddled if you confuse the characters, the
page you're on in each book, and various other factors.
How can you fix your spelling? Answered by wikiHow
Contributor
Sound out words, practice vocabulary, practice spelling words, and
read carefully, noticing the spelling of difficult words.
I choose my reading level and the teacher tells me, "It is not your
level. Get another book." I got another book and started hating it
because it is hard. What can I do?
Answered by Mimi_Millie
Tell your teacher that you are not enjoying reading that book
because it is too difficult. Your teacher's job is to help you
learn. If she/he is not understanding that you are struggling, they
are not doing their job. The teacher should provide more book
options that are more at your reading level.
Tips
Don't avoid the children's section! Many books written for children
are wonderful novels on their own.
Don't give up if you get frustrated or get a headache. If you
aren't used to reading on a regular basis, it will be difficult at
first. Stick to it and you will be rewarded.
Don't be upset if you find a book where you can hardly understand
any of the words. As you read, your personal vocabulary will
expand, but pick another book if there are too many obscure and/or
difficult words being used in that one.
If you are a fan of a popular movie or tv show, seek out databases
full of free fan-written fiction using those characters or
settings. Accomplished writers often contribute to these
"fanfiction" sites for fun. Check these out, as they are a great
gateway into enjoying reading.
Make pictures in your head to understand what's happening.
Warnings
Difficulty reading could also be attributed to issues with
eyesight. If you suffer from blurry vision and are struggling to
see the print on a page, go and get your eyes checked by a
professional.
Remember you are not alone if you are an adult who struggles with
their reading. Fourteen percent of the adult population in the
United States has difficulty with adult printed materials, while
almost 29% of adults struggle to comprehend reading beyond the most
basic levels.[10]
However, if you follow the steps above and you or your child are
still profoundly struggling to read, you may be dealing with a
reading disability. Reading disability and reading difficulty can
be hard to tell apart, though their problems have different roots.
A reading disability results primarily from the
brain’s struggle to process the sounds of speech.
Reading difficulty usually stems from lack of exposure to reading
education.[11]
Related wikiHows
How to
Improve Your Reading Skills
How to
Build Literacy Skills Through Games
How to
Encourage Kids to Read
How to
Improve Speed Reading Skills
How to
Study Well by Reading
How to
Make a Habit of Reading
How to
Learn Speed Reading
How to
Improve Your Reading Comprehension
How to
Read Faster
How to
Understand What You Read
About this wikiHow
Expert Review By:
MM
Megan Morgan
Ph.D. in English
Co-authors: 53
Updated: March 15, 2017
Views: 219,876
Article Rating: 85% - 167 votes
Categories: Improving Reading Skills
Sources and Attribution