English reading help!!!!! calling all English Scholars!!!?

Question

ok i have AP ENglish Language and im an 11th grader and i kinda have trouble with reading and paying attention. i can read perfectly, but my problem is that when i read i cant focus on what im reading and i get distracted. also when we read as a class i have trouble analyzing what we've read. like we will read a paragraph as a class and then the teacher will ask so what was it about and theni have absolutely no clue what went on. help!!!! is this like a disorder or do i just have bad listening skills. please help me!!!!!! how cani learn to analyze and comprehend with whatever i read. also why am i such a slow reader. it will take me like half an hour to read 10 pages. and i have the same problem i sort of dont get it. is it my listening skills? please help. how cani improve?

Answer 1

maybe you aren't an audio learner and you are more of a visual learner. I am not a doctor so i cant tell you if you have a disorder. But everyone learns differently. For me i sometimes have this problem. For example i will read something and then when i am done i am like what the heck did i just read, its like it did not sink in. The best advice i can give you is that when your brain can not possibly absorb any more information and you start felling overwhelmed take a break and come back to it later. you can also try taking notes and making comments in the margins about what you have just read it really helps you analyze what you are reading and you'll remember more.

Answer 2

This is neither a listening skills problem or an attention problem. You have a reading disorder and I'm amazed that you got to grade 11 without someone, somewhere along the line, picking up on it. Check with your teacher, ask for special assistance. It's not the same as remedial reading, but rather a technique that will help you assimilate what you read. You must be pretty bright to have made it this far on your own.Get into a reading program to sort out your problem, and you'll be flying!
Good luck to you.

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with u sometimes i feel the same way i have to read somethin for a couple of times to understand perhaps its because i just dont pay attention or either i'd be thinkin of somethin else make me busy of course u cant focus at something while ur thinking of something else. it might be helpful for u to summarise whatever u have read even if its one sentence and do the same for each paragraph or watever, u can also improve ur reading skill by readin newspaper may b for an hour everyday and if u dont like reading newspaper then try to read any book that interests u. I can see that if there was somethin wrong with ur writing skills then u wouldnt be able to write these whole details i think ur good enough :-) ur doing well... G'luck

Answer 4

You need to read actively. If possible, buy your own copies of texts so you can write in the margins. Underline key passages, and jot any ideas you have or questions in the margins. This will help you think about what you're reading and should help you analyze it. This will help your listening skills, too. Take notes when the teacher is talking. I guarantee your teacher is going to say something that will later show up on a quiz or test.

Answer 5

Speak with your parents and a teacher or counselor at school. If you have trouble telling them, just show them a copy of your Yahoo posting and tell them you wrote it.

They can have you tested for learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. If you have one of those conditions, or something like that, they can teach you coping skills to overcome the problems you are having. If you do not have that kind of situation, then the tests will show that and the counselor who sends you for testing will know what to do to help you learn to focus. You may need to take a special, short-term class on reading comprehension.

You are obviously a smart kid, and I, for one, am really impressed that you can identify the problem you are having and that you want to find a way to manage it. GOOD FOR YOU! Addressing the problem now will make all of your schoolwork easier and more enjoyable, and it will help you the rest of your life.

Answer 6

English major here, almost newly graduated from college, LOL.
It sounds like you have a focus problem. I kind of have difficulty at times getting through material. I DEFINITELY had that problem depending on what I read. If it was a boring author or about a subject that was of no particular interest to me, look out! I spent a mess of hours in library, just starring at something and reading and re-reading it just so I could start to understand it, especially in my senior year! I was taking classes that were tearing me up, but I got through 'em cause I spent extra time going over and over material till I got it. Then it was time to close the library and I'd have to leave!

Someone else here said, read things that interest YOU. Of course, you have a problem if its schoolwork and you cant stand the stuff, but then you just have to spend extra time going over it. It sucks, but I think if you are good enough for an AP class, you can handle it!!
Good luck!

Answer 7

When your reading things just try to get everything out of your head and concentrate on what you are reading, or even when your reading as a class and your not even saying the words repeat each word that is said when the other person is reading and that may help. With you not being able to read very quickly if you practise you will become a lot faster reader.

Answer 8

It sounds to me like you might have ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER, a syndrome of disordered learning. You generally have your mind on something else instead of the task at hand. Were you considered hyperactive as a child?? This goes along with it sometimes. You can be tested for it, and if you are A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. (attention deficit hyperactive disorder), there is medication you can take to help you keep focussed.

Answer 9

Have you tried reading it out loud to yourself? Some people I know don't understand what they read but when they hear it, all of a sudden they get it.

Also, you might have to try something like Summit reading improvement tutoring. In just a few weeks they can seriously help you to comprehend & understand more from what you read.

Answer 10

Have you ever been checked out for ADD? Could you possibly have dyslexia? That doesn't seem likely if you are in an AP class. Do you experience the same thing in other classes? You should talk to your teacher - they want you to succeed and will help you!