Effective reading

“Reading is an act of civilisation; it is one of the greatest acts of civilisation because it takes the free raw material of the mind and builds castles of possibilities.” —Ben Okri.

Before the Industrial Revolution, many of the populace in various countries lacked literacy. However, Classical Athens and the Islamic Caliphate were renowned for their comparatively high literacy rates.

Reading has existed since the 4th century since the invention of writing. In the past, Latin clare legere, which entailed reading aloud, was the norm, unlike legere tacite or legere sibi (silent reading), which was an uncommon practice.

Reading entails a deliberate attempt to make connections, comprehend viewpoints, conduct research, and apply acquired knowledge to one’s studies, particularly during learning. Nevertheless, individuals may experience difficulty recalling specific topics they previously read about, which can be frustrating.

We all read with a particular objective, such as enhancing our reading skills or perusing an itinerary for an upcoming trip. We also read for entertainment, such as sensational news in a magazine to satisfy our curiosity.

Reading daily, whether an online article, news item, magazine, book, or newspaper, is recommended. Challenging oneself by varying the difficulty level, not just the subject matter, is also advisable.

One effective strategy for reading is to have a good dictionary at hand to aid in deciphering meanings and comprehending context. However, it is important to note that relying too heavily on a dictionary can be counterproductive. Some dictionaries may not accurately reflect the context or grasp the author’s intended meaning.

Cultivate a genuine interest in a subject to maximise the personal learning experience. Identify what is deemed relevant and read it to extract necessary information. While reading, analyse the author’s perspective by asking questions like “Why is this topic important?” and “How does this relate to my existing knowledge of the subject?”

Reflect on the text’s significance and comprehend its meaning. To internalise the meaning, question the text’s implications, such as “What are my thoughts about the text?” and “How am I responding to this information?”

Transform chapter titles and headings into questions to improve understanding of the material. After reading the text, reread it to strengthen comprehension. While rereading, pay close attention to the headings and titles and formulate additional questions such as “Why does the author encourage never stopping dreaming?” and “How can someone learn a new language in just a month?”

Develop an active reading strategy by making notes throughout the reading process. Note-making involves summarising or highlighting essential or relevant information rather than copying it. While taking notes, question if the information is necessary and which parts are worth noting. Furthermore, consider if and how to use notes in the future.