Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Create a Quiet Reading Environment
• Method 2 of 3: Read Slowly and Carefully
• Method 3 of 3: Take notes on the text

Sometimes it is not easy to fully assimilate what you are reading when something is constantly distracting around you. You may be trying to figure out a text from a textbook or a book you are reading for pleasure. To absorb what you are reading, start by creating a calm environment. Then try to read the text slowly and carefully. You can also take notes in the text to help you digest and understand the content better.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Create a Quiet Reading Environment

1. 1 Find a quiet, secluded place. Choose a place to read that is quiet and with the least distractions. At home, this could be your bedroom or upstairs room, away from common areas such as the kitchen or living room. At school, you can read in the quiet room of the library or in a secluded corner of the self-study room (if available).
   • Choose a location with thick walls and a door or partition. This will help muffle noises and other sounds that might distract you from reading.
2. 2 Block out noise and distractions. If you know your reading area will be noisy, wear noise canceling headphones or earplugs. Close all doors to avoid noise. This will help you stay focused on the text.
   • You should also mute your phone and Wi-Fi. This way, you won't be distracted by social media or messages.
3. 3 Ask others to leave you alone. Make it clear to everyone around you that you are trying to focus on reading. Place a Do Not Disturb sign on the door. Ask others to stay away from your room and where you are reading so that you can absorb the text in peace and quiet.
   • You can ask others not to disturb you for a certain period of time, for example, for 30 minutes or 1 hour. Thus, you guarantee yourself peace and quiet for a set period and can concentrate on the text.

Method 2 of 3: Read Slowly and Carefully

1. 1 Read the printed text. It will be easier for your eyes to focus on text printed on a piece of paper, rather than on a computer or other electronic device. Print out texts on the Internet or on a computer so that you have a paper version in front of you. This way, your eyes don't have to strain to read text on a computer, tablet or phone screen.
   • If you are concerned about using too much paper, print the text on both sides. Select the duplex option when printing text. You can also use recycled paper to print text.
   • Alternatively, you can read the text using an e-book based on electronic ink technology (E-Ink) or on a screen designed for reading small print. Make the text large and easy to read in an e-book so you don't have to strain your eyes in the process.
   • If you are reading on a screen, turn down the brightness as much as possible, but so that the text is clearly visible.
2. 2 Skim the text for keywords, ideas, and key messages. Look for words that are repeated several times. Identify the most important ideas in the overall text concept. Notice the main points that are repeated from page to page. Skimming the text for key elements will make it easier to understand when you have studied the material in its entirety.
   • Keep these keywords, ideas, and key points in mind as you study the text in depth. Use them as guidelines for reading.
3. 3 Read the text out loud. Reading the text aloud will help you slow down and study it more closely. As you read aloud, listen carefully to each sentence. Pay attention to how the words sound on the page. Notice repetitions, turns of speech, and the language used in the text.
   • To whet your interest in reading the text, try reading the text out loud with a friend or friend. Take turns reading. This will allow you to listen to the text when someone else is reading it.
4. 4 Reread the passages you don't understand. If you get stuck on a certain sentence or piece of text, reread it. Read each word slowly and think about the meaning of each sentence in the passage. Take some time and divide the passage into parts. This will help you understand him better. You can also try taking notes on paper about what you think is important and what is difficult for you. For a complete assimilation of the material, try to understand everything without leaving anything (passages, words, ideas, etc.) for later.
   • After you reread a passage from the same book or from your notes, consider it in the context of the rest of the text. Ask yourself: "How does this passage relate to the text as a whole?", "What does this passage say about the key themes or ideas in the text?" - or check yourself for understanding.

Method 3 of 3: Take notes on the text

1. 1 Highlight or underline sentences that you find interesting. Use a marker or pen to highlight important information. Look for offers that you find exciting and interesting. Don't be afraid to underline and underline text, as this will make you read it more closely.
   • Try to highlight or underline only those sentences that seem really important to you. If you highlight or underline text too often, it will be difficult to identify the really important sentences; all you end up with are streaked pages.
   • Highlight and underline text in a book only if you own it or if you don't have a problem because of it. Library books, borrowed books, and old texts may not be suitable for this.
2. 2 Take notes in the margins. Analyze the text you read by taking notes in the margins. Write out short thoughts about a specific text. Place a question mark next to sentences you do not understand. Add one or two words next to the lines that lead you to a certain point.
   • For example, you might write “key detail” or “reveals the main idea” in the margins.
   • Take marginal notes only if you own the book, or if you are authorized to do so. Don't write directly in library books or in other people's old texts.
3. 3 Take notes in your notebook if you cannot do this in the book. You can also make notes in a notebook or on a piece of paper. Select quotes from the text that you find interesting or important, and write them out in a notebook. Then add notes next to them. Instead, you can include the page number next to the note from the text.
   • For example, you might make a note about a particular passage like this: “important discussion of the heading,” or: “key highlight”.
   • You can create a notebook specifically for the text to come back to references later. Seperate notes in a notebook can be a good idea, even if you can write in a book.
4. 4 Make a list of questions for the text. Asking questions about the text will make you a better reader. Imagine that you are talking directly to the text. Ask questions about passages in which you are confused or intrigued. Add questions to the list as you read.
   • For example, you might ask questions like “How does this sentence reveal the main ideas of the text?” “Why did the author add this example?”, “How does this passage make me feel as a reader?”
   • Keep the list of questions in a separate notebook for you to refer to later.
5. 5 Make a list of words you don't know. Identify any unfamiliar words or words whose meaning you do not know. Maintain an updated list of terms. Look up them in the dictionary and then analyze their definition in the context of the sentence. This will help you understand the text better and read it more carefully.
   • Keep a dictionary handy as you read to find words quickly and easily.
   • Keep the list of unfamiliar words in a separate notebook so you can review them later. The most important thing is to focus on a successful reading.