Are there any tips to becoming a very good reader?

Answer 1

You should read MANY books. If you don't understand a word then look it up or write it down. Most of the time you'll end up remembering it in another situation. It also expands your vocabulary. You can also try reading aloud. It might help you understand the book better. If you get bored of whatever you are reading then stop take a break and come back later. You should also use the 5 W and an H. Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?

As you read, ask yourself what conflicts are important in this story. Usually a story is more than just a listing of events. Instead, the reader’s interest in the story is kept because of a problem or conflict that arises. Conflicts can be external (between individuals or something that is happening outside) or internal (in one character’s mind). For example, if you are caught in a storm, you have an external conflict. If you have an argument with your best friend, you have an external conflict. External conflicts move the story from beginning to end. The internal conflict is a bit more complicated. It is put into motion by the external conflict. It is, in general, what the character realizes or learns about herself or her situation (as opposed to what is happening around her).

On a piece of paper, write the headings External Conflicts and Internal Conflicts. As you read, make a list of conflicts in this story and decide whether they are external (between people) or internal (one person’s mind).

If there is something in the story which makes you react emotionally, summarize it briefly on your paper. This could be anything from loving the way the author uses words, to having a strong feeling during one section of the story. Don’t expect to just remember these reactions. They need to be jotted down.

In order to remember stories or books you read you need to take steps to put them into your memory.

One way to improve memory is to organize information so it makes sense to you. You remember telephone numbers by saying the first three numbers as one group, and the last four as another group. Remembering seven separate numbers would be a much harder memory task.

A second memory strategy could be visualizing the story. If this story was a movie, imagine who would play the characters. Picture what the rooms look like and what the characters look like. Imagine smells, sounds, and sights. Find out about the characters by listening to what they say and paying attention to how they act.

The final memory strategy for this story is to talk about it out loud. That is why we remember a story we have discussed in class or with a friend. Have a study buddy who reads the story and discusses it with you. Even a short discussion will help you remember it.

Answer 2

Do a lot of reading. Practice answering questions about a paragraph or page. What was the main point? What happened? Who is involved? Why did they act as they did? etc.