Perhaps one of the most important skills anyone can develop is effective reading. Whether it’s a novel or a news article, effective reading helps us get what we’re looking for from what we read. It allows us to become better-informed individuals or simply enjoy a piece of literature.
An effective reader acquires insight into what they read. They search for connections in the writing. More broadly, though, an effective reader is someone who spends their time wisely, knowing what they should and should not read. An effective reader is not necessarily someone who reads a lot; rather, an effective reader is someone who reads with a sense of purpose.
Here are a few ideas to consider to become more effective readers:
Finding Purpose
First of all, before you pick up any book or embark on reading any work, you should have a clear sense of “why”.
You should ask yourself what you want to get out of each reading experience. Is it information? Is it enjoyment from a story by your favourite novelist? Perhaps it’s a recollection of someone’s life in a biography or memoir. Or is it insight on the world?
These are all potential reasons why you might sit down to read. But they should be both apparent to you before you begin and at the top of your mind while you read. This helps you navigate what you should read with some sort of overarching direction.
For example, if I’m reading a novel for pleasure, what I’m really looking for is something that makes me happy. If the book is boring, the language is too obscure, or it is simply unfulfilling, I often just drop the book and move on. What I’m reading isn’t serving the purpose of why I’m choosing to read at that moment. Even though quitting might feel unpleasant, it would largely be a waste of precious time to continue reading something I don’t like.
On the other hand, when reading for information or to challenge myself, I’m checking a different set of criteria to decide whether it’s worth my time.
These “whys”, of course, don’t have to be exclusive to each other. You can certainly read to expand your knowledge and for pleasure at the same time. Never forget, however, that time is particularly valuable.
If it ever becomes clear that what you’re reading isn’t serving its purpose, you should consider whether it’s worth it to continue. There are, after all, thousands of other titles you could choose from.
Reading What You Don’t Want to Read
Okay. So what about the stuff that you might not like reading? Textbooks, that novel for English class you don’t care for, and so on?
This is tough, but try looking for things that you enjoy or know will be useful. Follow that subplot or other element that you enjoy from a novel, or search solely for the information you need to learn from the textbook.
Of course, if you’re reading for a literature class, you wouldn’t want to completely miss the key details, but directing a fair part of your attention to some interesting secondary element can help you maintain enthusiasm for the book. Think of it like looking for jewels in the rubble.
If it still isn’t possible to immerse yourself inside a novel, try reading it from a critical standpoint. Consider why some people like it; note what you like and dislike about it. As you go along, don’t be afraid to make critiques of stylistic elements or story construction. Even ask yourself how you might have written something differently.
In the case of textbooks, where you might be reading purely for information retention, skim through to get a general idea of what the text is about. Then go back and read through as you normally would. By giving yourself a heads-up about what each section covers and its organization, you’ll find that the content will feel much less like a drag.
How Much Should You Read?
Being well-read is seen by some as a sort of hallmark of “intellectual maturity”—whatever that means. Indeed, the common answer to “how much should you read?” is, ideally, “as much as possible.”
However, the idea that we should all strive to read as much as possible, to expand what we know or have experienced, is misguided. It is fueled by external expectations and an acquisitive desire for knowledge or understanding.
This can lead some to feel obliged to read more than truly necessary. It’s also unhelpful since it can leave us without any room to slow down and appreciate each book, or even to reread titles we’ve enjoyed before since we’re constantly setting our eyes on new ones.
By asking yourself more specifically why you’re reading, instead of watching a TV show or movie, how much you should read becomes clear. Rather than aiming to read a lot of books, I would encourage you to develop closer relationships with just a few titles.
Each work should be seen as an individual experience to savour.
Active Reading
While reading, here are a few common strategies to keep yourself engaged with the content:
- Summarize or paraphrase after finishing each section or chapter of what you read. Imagine yourself explaining a concept or retelling a story to a friend.
- Ask questions as you read. And be sure to make note of them so that you can come back to them later on, since resolving previous confusion helps to build understanding.
- Consider the author’s perspective and purpose.
- Make connections to what you already know, other works you’ve read, and your personal experiences. This helps to integrate your own perspective into the writer’s view, which connects you to the text on a stronger level, enabling stronger retention.
Reading Speed
Reading speed can be improved using certain techniques, like using peripheral vision or training your eyes to move faster. Personally, however, I don’t think it’s particularly important. As with reading as many books as you can, I would discourage forcing yourself to read far beyond a comfortable speed since comprehension is usually sacrificed.
Finding Time to Read
I’ve found that there are two main philosophies on finding time to read. And they each suit different individuals and reading preferences.
The first is using “edge” time to your advantage by keeping reading material with you at all times—or even just having it on your phone. Whenever there isn’t much going on—if you’re waiting around for something, for example—pull out something to read. It might only be a few minutes, but getting into the habit means that these minutes add up over time.
The second is scheduling “reading time”. Depending on what you’re used to, consider dedicating anywhere from fifteen minutes to an entire afternoon to reading with little to no distractions. And yes, that means turning off notifications.
These strategies may or may not work (I, for one, enjoy sitting down for longer, less frequent reading sessions). Nonetheless, how much you end up reading is going to largely depend on yourself. I often find that the hardest part of reading is getting started on a book, so even setting aside a few minutes to read the first chapter of a novel might pique your interest and keep you going.
Finally, on the topic of effective reading, I encourage you to seek out other perspectives and strategies, since I am, by no means, an authoritative source.
Effective reading takes time. So why not pick up a book or read another blog post here and consider some of the above strategies? It is, after all, a skill that will stick with you well into the future.
