All too often, we read something, think we’ve taken it onboard, but then forget about it ten minutes later. Now, you could argue that the book we just read simply wasn’t exciting enough to grab our attention, but most of the time, it’s about something much deeper. In essence, we just need to learn how to improve reading comprehension. 

It sounds complicated, but don’t worry! It’s actually quite simple once you understand the key practices. And that’s exactly what we’re about to talk about! 

What is reading comprehension?

Reading comprehension is not just about recognizing words and reading aloud; it's about truly understanding exactly what those words are trying to say. After all, it’s very easy to read a few pages of a book and think, ‘Oh, that was nice,’ and then put it down. You’ll never pick that book up again because it didn’t grab you; you didn’t totally immerse yourself in its meaning. 

But reading comprehension skills can change all of that. 

To break it down, reading comprehension involves understanding the text you read and being able to make sense of it. To do that, there are several processes going on behind the scenes. First, there's decoding, which means translating the letters into words and sounds. Once you've decoded the text, your brain then works to understand the meaning behind those words, the sentences, how they work together, and what it all means.

Good reading comprehension strategies allow you to predict, ask questions, deepen your understanding, and summarize what you've read in your own words to ensure you’ve got the facts straight. You can also use prior knowledge about a subject to give extra context. 

Why are reading comprehension skills important?

Reading comprehension skills are vital in many areas of life. They go beyond simply looking at words on a page to understanding, integrating, and critically analyzing information. Good reading comprehension skills allow deeper learning, better communication, and careful decision-making.

Let’s put this into some real-life contexts. 

Study 

Reading comprehension is vital for learners, so it’s a great skill to have if you’re studying, whether in high school or beyond. As you enter higher education, you’re expected to absorb and understand information from written materials. Textbooks, research papers, essays, and instructional materials require strong reading comprehension to grasp and apply complex ideas. Otherwise, it’s all lost, and you just sit there, totally confused. Not fun. 

Those who excel in these skills often find it easier to keep up with course loads, perform well in exams, and contribute to classroom discussions. In essence, reading comprehension skills help students meet their potential. 

Working life 

We can talk about work, too, where reading comprehension skills are equally crucial. Whether reading reports, drafting emails, or preparing presentations, the ability to understand and communicate information accurately is crucial. 

In many jobs, advanced reading skills are needed to interpret data, follow complex instructions, or stay informed about key points in industry trends. This gives the background knowledge to move forward and suggest new ideas. 

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Reading comprehension is closely linked to critical thinking. If you’re talented at comprehending written material, you can focus on key arguments, recognize assumptions, and understand the validity of information. This skill set is vital for problem-solving, as it enables you to make well-informed decisions based on a careful understanding of information. 

Personal growth & lifelong learning 

Of course, reading broadens horizons beyond measure. Through books, you can explore cultures, experiences, and new perspectives. This boosts social understanding and cultural sensitivity, skills that are very important in our modern world. 

On top of that, whether it's learning a new skill through a how-to guide, staying current with news and developments, or reading books and articles, reading is a lifelong tool for growth. Finally, reading for pleasure has been linked to improved mental health and well-being.

From all of that, you can see just how important reading comprehension is in many areas of life. 

How does comprehension fit into the other principles of reading?

Reading comprehension works hand-in-hand with reading as an overall skill, connected with other aspects such as phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text analysis. 

Let’s take a closer look at how this all links together and summarize the main points. 

• Phonics and decoding: Phonics is the foundation that allows you to decipher unfamiliar words by correlating sounds with letters or groups. Decoding is using this knowledge to read words accurately. Reading comprehension takes this further by making sense of the decoded words. 

• Vocabulary: A strong vocabulary is vital for comprehension. Knowing the meaning of words and being able to understand them within different contexts enhances your ability to grasp the overall meaning of texts. By understanding what new words mean, you widen your vocabulary over time. 

• Fluency: Fluency is the ability to read text smoothly, with speed and expression. This skill is directly linked to comprehension because stumbling through text can affect your understanding of it and means you may miss the key points. 

• Text analysis and interpretation: This involves deeper engagement with a text, such as identifying themes, analyzing main characters, and understanding plot structures. Comprehension is key here because it allows you to not only take in the surface meaning of the text but also to analyze and critique, deepening your understanding and engagement. 

You could argue that reading comprehension is the glue that binds all the elements of reading together. That’s why boosting your reading comprehension skills is so important. 

A warning about the media…

Unfortunately, the media plays a part in this, too. When you read something online or in a newspaper, it’s written in a way that skews your understanding. It’s biased and doesn’t aim to give you a balanced view. In 'How to Read a Book,' Mortimer Adler tells us: 

"Television, radio, and all the sources of amusement and information that surround us in our daily lives are also artificial props. They can give us the impression that our minds are active, because we are required to react to stimuli from the outside. But the power of those external stimuli to keep us going is limited. They are like drugs. We grow used to them, and we continuously need more and more of them."

Reading comprehension skills allow you to dig a little deeper and move away from biases. In the end, you will understand your own definition of reading material, not what someone else tells you. 

Seven strategies to improve your reading comprehension skills

You know the what and why, but now you need to know the how. Let’s take a look at seven key strategies to help you boost your reading comprehension skills with ease. 

Active reading

Active reading involves engaging with the text through questioning, predicting, and summarizing. As you read a chapter in a book, pause after a few paragraphs to ask yourself questions like, “What do I think will happen next?” or “What is the main point of this section?” Use context clues and write down these questions. Your answers can also help solidify the material in your memory and help you identify the key take aways. 

Of course, not all books are the same, and some are a lot easier to understand than others. But that doesn’t mean you should stick to the same genres out of fear of not understanding or because you think it’s too simple. In 'How to Read the Classics,' Rostyslav Semkiv tells us:

"Books span a wide range of difficulty while being equally high-quality writing. You should not limit your reading diet to exclusively complex texts because they are not the only ones containing the truth." 

Pre-reading

This strategy involves quickly previewing the text to get a sense of its structure and content before diving in deeply. Much of this depends on your reading speed, but it’s entirely possible to improve that, too. 

In his book, 'Speed Reading,' Kam Knight advises:

"Read the front and back covers. Review the table of contents to get a feel for the organization, and notice if the book is divided into sections or parts. Read chapter headings to get a sense of the topics that will be covered."

So, before reading, scan the headings, subheadings, introduction, conclusion, and any summaries or abstracts. This gives you a framework for understanding and helps set expectations for what you’re about to learn. 

Speed reading can be quite tiring on the eyes, but there are some things you can do to help. Kam Knight advises drawing figures of eight with your eyes, moving your eyes from side to side, then up and down, and blinking slowly for a few minutes. 

Visual aids

Using visual aids can help reinforce understanding and retention. For example, create mind maps or diagrams that help visualize relationships between different concepts in the text. 

For a historical text, draw a timeline of events as you read, which can help you better understand and remember the chronological order and significance of events. For a novel, you could create a family tree to help you understand the connections between characters. 

Annotating and highlighting

A good option is to try notetaking—marking important parts of the text with a colored highlighter and making notes as you read in the margins or a notebook. Note down your thoughts, questions, or real-life applications of the material. This will make reviewing key concepts much easier. 

Additionally, why not try flashcards to help you remember key points from the book later?

Rereading difficult sections

Sometimes, you will read a section or a chapter and not grasp it the first time. In that case, revisit and reread sections that are complex or difficult to understand. If you’re reading a challenging textbook and find a section particularly complex, read it through once to get a rough idea, then go back and read it again more slowly, breaking down each part to fully grasp the concepts.

In his book, 'Limitless,' Jim Kwik advises:

"Before each reading, take a few minutes to talk about or write what you remember from the previous reading."

By doing this, you’re reminding yourself of your previous learnings and building on them brick by brick. You might also find that you answer questions as you go, using knowledge from your previous reading session.  

Discussing with others

One of the most effective strategies is talking about what you’ve read with others. This discussion can deepen your understanding and help you gain new perspectives. You could join a book club or study group where you can share insights and discuss interpretations of texts. 

Alternatively, try explaining what you've read to a friend or family member; teaching others is a great way to reinforce your own understanding. You can also do this to improve your vocabulary. Using new words in conversation enhances your understanding of what that word means in practice. 

Applying the content

This simply means using what you've read in practical, real-world contexts. So, if you’re reading a book on financial literacy, actively apply concepts like budgeting or investing strategies to your personal finances. This not only helps improve your financial health but also cements financial concepts in a practical manner.

Regular practice of these strategies can significantly enhance your reading comprehension skills. This not only makes reading more enjoyable but also turns it into a powerful tool for lifelong learning.

Boost your reading comprehension skills with Headway 

There is a world of books out there to immerse yourself in. All that knowledge and wonder is waiting to be discovered! In 'Learning How to Learn,' Barbara Oakley tells us that we should expand our reading horizons and try to absorb as much knowledge as possible: 

"If you spend too much time on material you already know, you won’t have time to learn new material. This idea of focusing on the harder stuff is called deliberate practice. Deliberate practice is how you become an expert more quickly in whatever you are studying."

And that’s exactly what Headway allows you to do! In just 15 minutes, you can listen to or read summaries of the top-rated non-fiction books, choosing from a variety of subject areas. Find areas you want to learn more about and throw yourself into a world of potential using the reading comprehension tips you’ve learned today. The world is your oyster!