What is the most effective way to read a book and what can one do after reading? How do the experienced readers go about reading a book. Annotations in the first read? New words?

Answer 1

Great question! There are several techniques to reading and comprehending. I always tell my students that anyone can read words, but what those words do to the mind is what helps a reader become engrossed in the story. How do we interpret the words and create visuals in our mind?

If it’s a poem or short story (A literal short story of the few pages or less), it could be effective to read through its entirety first to understand the overall plot and/or main idea before going into dissecting it.

Some of the most effective ways to read longer stories are the following:

-Keep a reading journal or log. A reading journal or log can be used in a variety of ways — character charts, main ideas, themes, questions, predictions, and so forth.

-Annotations. The most effective way to annotate is to use lots of color. Color coding helps our brains decipher quickly between two or more areas of concentration. For example, unknown words or phrases that are difficult to understand can be highlighted in red. Main points, evidence, or characterization can also be color coded. Jot notes off to the side or keep in your reading journal or log.



-Motion picture. This does not mean watching a movie. It does mean creating a motion of the pictures the words create in your mind. In essence, you are creating your own movie of the words or scene on the screen in your mind. What do the characters look like? What are their mannerisms? What are the colors in the room/scene? What are the sounds? Even if the author does not give you these things, create them in your mind. The story will come alive to you.