Reading Comprehension Under Time Constraints: Strategies & Resources: Reading Comprehension

Active reading is the process of engaging with a text as you read it. Often, people read passively — that is, we take in the information we read without questioning its validity and without making personal connections with the text. Passive reading is fine if you're reading a novel for enjoyment, but when you're reading for an assignment, test, or research project, active reading will help you get the most out of the text. 

Tips for Active Reading: 

• Underline key ideas – for example, topic sentences
• Box or circle words and phrases you want to remember
• Place a checkmark, star, or exclamation point next to important ideas 
• Put a question mark near any unfamiliar words or phrase you need to lookup
• Number the writer’s key supporting points or examples as you read
• Use different color highlighters; for example, yellow for quotes you want to use, pink for ideas you want to further research
• Write or type your thoughts in the margins