What do I do when I don't understand what im reading?

Answer 1

🧠 1. Pause and Ask: “What’s confusing me?”

1. Is it the vocabulary?
2. The sentence structure?
3. The main idea? Once you know why it’s hard, it’s easier to fix.

📖 2. Reread—Slowly

Sometimes your brain just needs a second pass. Try rereading the sentence or paragraph out loud. It really helps!

📚 3. Break It Down

1. Look at one sentence at a time.
2. Paraphrase it in your own words.
3. Ask: What is this part trying to say?

🔍 4. Look Up Words

If there’s a word or phrase you don’t know, look it up! Even grown-ups do this all the time.

🧩 5. Use Context Clues

Try to figure out the meaning by looking at:

1. The words around it
2. The overall topic
3. Any images, titles, or headings

✏️ 6. Take Notes or Make a Quick Summary

Write down what you do understand. Sometimes putting thoughts on paper helps make it clearer.

👥 7. Ask for Help

Talk to a teacher, tutor, or even a friend. Just saying, “I don’t get this part” can start a great explanation.

🧘 8. Don’t Panic

Reading is a skill, and like all skills, it gets easier with practice. It’s totally normal to need help or take extra time.

Answer 2

1. Pause and Rephrase

Try to restate the sentence or paragraph in your own words. Even if it’s rough, this forces you to engage with the idea.

2. Break It Down

Divide long sentences into smaller chunks. Understand one piece at a time before moving to the next.

3. Look Up Keywords

If there’s a word, phrase, or reference you don’t get, look it up. One confusing term can throw off the whole meaning.

4. Ask: What’s the Main Idea?

Focus on the big picture. What’s the main point the author is trying to make here? Sometimes zooming out helps more than digging in.

5. Read Aloud or Slowly

Reading aloud or at a slower pace can improve focus and help your brain absorb the meaning better.

6. Use Context

Check the surrounding sentences for clues. Often, something confusing is explained just before or after.

7. Write a Quick Summary

Jot down what you do understand. This helps organize your thoughts and identify where the confusion really is.

8. Ask for Help

Don’t hesitate to ask a friend, teacher, or me! A fresh explanation can make all the difference, so you can try sharing something in the replies or schedule something 1 on 1 :).

Hope this helps!