ACT Prep Course English and Reading Skills Mrs. Kinney

Becoming an Active Reader Active readers are people who “get it.” They really understand what an author is thinking, saying and trying to get across in the text.

Steps an Active Reader Takes Preview what you are about to read – Read the selection title and look over any pictures and captions. Skim the text. Ask yourself: What did the author think was important enough to show in a picture? Why did the author choose to put that word in boldface, or darker, text?

Predict what the selection will be about. What do you think the selection is about? Write your prediction on a sticky note and attach it to the selection. As you read, look for information to confirm your prediction.

Set a purpose for reading. Ask yourself: Why am I planning to read this? What do I want to get from it? Maybe it’s assigned reading for class and you want to find facts so you can answer questions. Maybe you need to read directions that tell you how to do something. Or maybe you just want to read for enjoyment. Knowing why you’re reading can help you get what you want from the text.

Ask questions to guide your reading. Ask some 5Ws and an H question: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? For example: Where do the characters live? Why did they choose to do what they just did? As you read, look for answers. They might be right there, explained in the text. Or you might have to put details from the text together to figure out the answer to your question.

Note what’s important. As you read, highlight or underline key words and ideas. Ask yourself: Is this word or detail really important or is it just kind of interesting? Make sure you identify and highlight or underline only the most important ones. Write your personal reactions to what you read in the margins or on sticky notes by the text. How you react to what you read is important.

Clear the way. As you read, stop if you are confused. Circle unfamiliar words or phrases, then reread the text. That may make the meaning clear. If it doesn’t, check nearby words and pictures for clues to the meaning. Tap into your personal knowledge. Ask yourself: Have I ever read anything else about this subject before? Do I know a word or phrase in the text to see if means about the same thing? Try that word or phrase in the text to see if it makes sense. If you’re still confused, just read on. Maybe you’ll find the answer there!

Ask questions to understand the author. Try to figure out how the author thinks and what he or she is trying to communicate with you. Ask questions like: Did the author write this to inform me, entertain me, or persuade me to do something? Is the writing funny, sad, friendly, scary or serious? Why did the author choose this particular word to describe the character? Why did the author have the character react like this? Does the author tell both sides of the story?

Return, review and reword. When you finish reading, review your sticky notes and highlighted text. This will quickly remind you not only of the most important ideas, but also of how those ideas are connected. Finally, state what the selection is about in your own words.

Works Cited Reading in 15 Minutes a Day. New York: Learning Express, LLC; 2008.