Reading to Understand

You may have several reasons for reading. The main goal is always to understand what you read. You will be able to understand more of what you read if you prepare properly. You should prepare physically as well as mentally. Preparing physically means: sitting at a desk or table, sitting straight, finding a well-lit area, reading where physical distractions are minimal, and getting paper and a pen. Preparing mentally means beginning with a positive attitude and asking two questions. Before you begin reading, you should answer these questions:

What is my purpose for reading?

How do I need to read?

What is my purpose for reading?

Be clear about why you are reading and what you hope to gain from the reading process. This will help you decide how you need to read, and what reading skills you will need to use more than others. For example, if you are a manager for a busy company, you may need to read many reports explaining what employees are working on. Unless you are directly involved with the work, you may only need to “skim” the reports to get a general idea about what people are doing. On the other hand, if you are a doctor preparing to perform a new surgery, you will need to read carefully and slowly so you do not miss any important details.