How to understand a text

In the last blog I posted some useful literature reading skills. In this article I want to share techniques that will help students, professionals or anyone trying to understand a certain text that reveals knowledge for their study.


SKIMMING
If you are reading to get a general impression, you should use a skill called skimming. When looking at a book, this will involve looking at the cover, title and contents page, chapter headings, sub-headings, the first and last sentence or paragraph within the chapters.

SCANNING
To search for the answer to a particular question, try scanning. This is the skill you use when finding names in the phone book – let your eyes scan down the page till you see the information you want.
Skimming and scanning are speedy and efficient techniques for getting what you need out of books and articles. Many students think it is cheating not to read every word in a book. Not so. You are cheating yourself when you waste time reading material not essential to your purpose.

READING FOR A DETAILED UNDERSTANDING - USE SQ3R

For a detailed understanding you might like to try the SQ3R method. Here’s how it works:

Step 1. SURVEY Look over the whole text. Check out the headings and the way it has been set out.

Step 2. QUESTION Ask yourself some questions about the text. Why am I reading this text?
What do I need to find out from this text? Does it look useful for my assignment?

Step 3. READ the text. Take some notes while reading. Sometimes this helps to keep you mind on the content.

Step 4. RECITE Stop every now and then and try to put into your own words what you have just read.

Step 5. REVIEW After you have finished look back over your notes and see if you can recall the main the points.

Source:
http://www.ncistudent.net/StudySkills/LearningSkills/ReadingEffect1.htm