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How to Be a Good Reader

Co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD

Many people enjoy reading as a way to relax and enrich their minds. Reading is also an increasingly
critical skill to learn and develop to be successful in school and in the professional world.[1] By gathering
the right reading materials, employing a few strategies to increase your skills, and maintaining a positive
attitude, you can improve your reading or help a child become a better reader.

Part One of Three:

Improving Your Reading Skills

Start at a comfortable reading level. You can advance to more difficult reading materials from there. If
you attempt to read material that is too challenging initially you are more likely to become discouraged.
While challenging yourself to read at a more advanced level is a wonderful goal, studies have shown that
if you allow yourself to become discouraged while reading you will be less likely to achieve that goal in
the long run.[2]

Skim the first few pages. If you have trouble understanding what the author is trying to say, you may not
enjoy the book.

If you have chosen a book with a very narrow focus, like a scientific work or a specific historical treatise,
you might want to instead familiarize yourself with books on more general topics first.

Use the five finger rule. Pick a book, and read the first two or three pages. Put one finger up for every
word you can't pronounce or don't know the meaning of. If you've put up 5 or more fingers, the book is
probably too hard. Educators have been using this method for years, and it can be applied for children as
well as adults.[3]

2
Expand your vocabulary. Building a greater vocabulary will make reading easier and more fun in the
future. The more words you are exposed to, the more your vocabulary will grow.

If you don't understand a word, first try to use context clues to figure out what it means. Frequently, the
rest of the words in a sentence will offer hints about what a particular word means.

Look up words in the dictionary that you do not recognize or understand. Write down these words to
review later to solidify them in your memory and make them a part of your vocabulary. Keep of a
collection of these words for your own reference.

Use new words you learn in your everyday speech. Putting words into action in your everyday life will
ensure that you remember them.

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Practice, practice, practice. Studies have shown that people who spend more time reading, and take in a
greater volume of reading material, develop a more extensive vocabulary and greater reading
comprehension. This improves their ability to take in knowledge more generally.[4]

As with anything else, developing reading skills takes work. Set aside time to read every day. Literacy
experts disagree about exactly how much time you should devote to reading, given that it varies
according to age, skill level, and ability. A good rule to remember, however, is consistency. Try to read
every day. If you need to take frequent breaks while reading, go ahead. Even while practicing, reading
should be an enjoyable experience.

Take a book with you on a morning bus or train commute, or read on your lunch break. Having access to
reading materials during moments of down time makes it more likely that you will read regularly.

Read the words out loud. Reading out loud, alone or to someone, can improve how you read and spell.
However, don’t force a nervous reader to read aloud, especially in a group setting. Fear of shame and
humiliation can make some unsure readers dread the experience.

Visualize the story, pay attention to the introduction of characters and places. Try to see each in your
mind. "Seeing" the story will make it more real to you and easier to remember.

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Part Two of Three:

Making Reading Fun

1
Read materials that interest you. You are much more likely to commit to reading when it is an enjoyable
and engaging experience. If you are bored while reading, you are more likely to put the book down and
engage in a different activity.[5]

Find books related to your hobbies, career goals, or a topic that piques your curiosity. There are books
that cover every topic imaginable, and the availability of local libraries, bookstores, and the Internet
means that all of them are at your fingertips.

Don't limit yourself to just monographs. Comic books and graphic novels are a great way to get children
and young adults hooked on reading. Collections of short stories are a good option for those who don't
want to commit to reading a longer work.

Read magazines that cover your areas of interest. Whether your interests are in motorcycle
maintenance, gardening, bird watching, or 19th-century architecture, there is a magazine that caters to
you. Many of these contain lengthy, well-sourced articles.

Create a pleasant reading environment. The more you associate reading with comfort and relaxation the
more likely you are to continue developing your reading skills. Reading can become a treat, rather than a
chore.

Find a quiet place to read so that you aren’t disturbed. Avoid distractions like TV or the radio, or other
people prone to disturbing you. Make sure it is somewhere with good lighting where you can relax. Hold
the book about 15 inches away from your face (approximately the distance from your elbow to your
wrist).

Make a cozy and fun reading area. A nicely lit corner with comfortable pillows creates a great ambiance
for reading.

If you are helping someone read, stay positive! Negative feedback will only discourage a fledgling reader,
so keep the environment upbeat.

Make reading a social experience. Reading doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit, and can be even more
enjoyable when shared with others.

Start a book club with friends. Making reading a social experience can inspire you to continue to
improve. Friends can also provide encouragement for each other.

Start an online blog reviewing the latest books you have read. Encourage others to dialogue about their
opinions of the work.

Go to a coffee shop or cafe readers frequent. Seeing others reading can inspire you, or expose you to
interesting titles. Strike up a conversation with a fellow patron about what they have been reading.
Consider taking a class at your local college, community college, or community center. You can learn a
new skill, study a topic that interests you, and practice your reading skills at the same time.

Read interesting passages to family or friends. You might encourage them to improve their reading as
well.

Make reading a family affair. If you can establish reading as a regular and normal activity in your
household, all members of your family will be encouraged to be better readers. It will also allow you to
practice your reading skills.

Parents can help their children be good readers by reading to them when they are young. Reading to
children helps them develop language and listening skills, which prepares them to understand the
written word.[6]

Keep books handy in your household and keep age-appropriate books accessible to children to peruse on
their own. Even if a child cannot read on their own yet, establishing initial skills for reading—such as how
to correctly hold a book and turn the pages—is an important step to becoming a reader.

Family reading time can provide a moment to bond with your children. Life can be very hectic, and it is
often difficult to set aside quality time with your family. Try to schedule a moment to read with your
children everyday as part of your routine.

Be patient if your child begins to favor one book and wants to read it over and over again. A favorite
story could be offering your child comfort or appealing to a particular interest they have at the moment.
Also, re-reading the same words and sentences repeatedly helps your child begin to recognize words by
sight.

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Part Three of Three:

Accessing Reading Materials

Visit your local library. Public libraries offer free and unlimited access to remarkable collections of
reading materials and other types of media and technology. Getting a library card is easy and usually just
requires a photo ID, although some libraries may also require proof that you live in the area, such as a
utility bill.[7]

Libraries are wonderful places to find a variety of books and librarians are there to help. Trained in how
to most effectively help you make the most of your library experience, librarians are a resource you
should not overlook. Ask the librarian for suggestions for books on a specific topic, or a more general
genre, or to help you find a particular title.
Finding materials that interest you is an important first step in improving your reading. Read the backs of
books or the inside of the dust jacket for a brief summary of the plot. Usually, you will be able to tell
right away if a book will not sustain your interest.

Most libraries allow you to check out more than one title at once. Take home several books to give
yourself a variety of reading materials to try.

Go to a bookstore in your area. Decide which type of bookstore can best suit your needs before setting
out. Areas around college campuses and urban areas are more likely to contain a variety of bookstores to
visit.

Larger chain bookstores carry everything from self-help books, to novels, to academic publications. If you
are not sure what you are looking for, this type of larger bookstore can provide many different types of
reading materials to help you narrow your search.

If your interests are more specific, look for a bookstore that caters to the type of book that appeals to
you. Children's bookstores are designed to offer a more relaxed and fun environment for younger
readers.

Buying from a small local bookstore is a good way to support local business in your community. You can
find some unique books in these smaller stores, like work by local authors who have not been featured
nationally.

Ask bookstore employees for recommendations. Usually, people who work in or own bookstores are
there because they love to read. You will likely get a wide range of recommendations from them.

Check out garage sales or thrift stores. You don't have to go to the library or spend a lot of money to find
good books. Used books are available for just a few dollars, sometimes even for the change you have in
your pocket.

Check out garage sales or thrift stores. These offer easy ways to peruse reading material for interesting
titles or collections. Sometimes people offer to sell off collections as an entire set.

Be careful when buying used or second-hand books to check the book thoroughly before buying it for
missing or damaged pages. Flip through the entire book to make sure it is not badly torn or water
damaged.

Feel free to negotiate on the price of a book or other reading material you come across at a garage sale.
Sometimes the person selling the book is unaware of internal damage to pages that would decrease the
price for the item.
5

Go online. You can easily find discount books or reading material on the internet, without even leaving
home. You can also download e-books and other forms of media to take with you.

Used books are available through most major online retailers. Used books are substantially less
expensive than new, and most sellers provide an assessment of the state of the book in terms of wear
and tear, and internal notations or highlighting.

More and more information is available for free online. Find a website or blog that interests you and
follow it. You can easily find blogs online that include book reviews, which could lead you to explore
other books and authors.

Consider getting a portable reading device for easy access to digital material. Although there is nothing
like holding a book in your hand, digital devices make it easier than ever to carry several different e-
books with you in one small place, which could save you from carrying around heavy books and
magazines.

Many public libraries now allow you to "check out" e-books for free for a certain period of time, such as
two weeks.

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Community Q&A

Question

How can I learn to make reading fun?

Community Answer

Choose a book that matches your interests, and whenever you finish a chapter give yourself a reward.
Read in a comfortable place with no distractions.

Question

How can you fix your spelling?

Community Answer

Sound out words, practice vocabulary, practice spelling words, and read carefully, noticing the spelling of
difficult words.

Question

How do I learn to to enjoy reading?

Community Answer
Read a lot of variety to find an author, genre, series, etc. that sparks your interest.

Question

Whenever I flip to a new page, I forget what happened on the last page. How do I remember?

Community Answer

You have to both read and comprehend. Try visualizing what you are reading in your mind so that you
will remember it better.

Question

I choose my reading level and the teacher tells me, "It is not your level. Get another book." I got another
book and started hating it because it is hard. What can I do?

Mimi_Millie

Community Answer

Tell your teacher that you are not enjoying reading that book because it is too difficult. Your teacher's job
is to help you learn. If she/he is not understanding that you are struggling, they are not doing their job.
The teacher should provide more book options that are more at your reading level.

Question

Is it wrong to read several books at a time?

Community Answer

Not at all, as long as you have the ability to keep details straight. It can get muddled if you confuse the
characters, the page you're on in each book, and various other factors.

Question

Does reading have any disadvantages?

Community Answer

No, as long as you're not neglecting responsibilities, self-care, etc. in favor of reading. Be sure to
periodically give your eyes a break as well, by looking away from the book and off into the distance.

Question

How can I read then understand without forgetting in the future?

Community Answer
Just read with interest and catch the depth of what you're reading, and it should stay with you.

Question

What can I do if someone always distracts me while I am reading?

Community Answer

Find a quiet place to read where no one will disturb you.

Question

How can I not get bored when I read?

Community Answer

Find a book that you are interested in. Try out different genres or authors. You don't have to read for
hours, just read for 15 minutes a day and then decide if you want to read a little more. If that doesn't
help, maybe listening to audiobooks is something that you'd like.

Tips

Don't avoid the children's section! Many books written for children are wonderful novels on their own.

Don't give up if you get frustrated or get a headache. If you aren't used to reading on a regular basis, it
will be difficult at first. Stick to it and you will be rewarded.

Don't be upset if you find a book where you can hardly understand any of the words. As you read, your
personal vocabulary will expand, but pick another book if there are too many obscure and/or difficult
words being used in that one.

If you are a fan of a popular movie or tv show, seek out databases full of free fan-written fiction using
those characters or settings. Accomplished writers often contribute to these "fanfiction" sites for fun.
Check these out, as they are a great gateway into enjoying reading.

Make pictures in your head to understand what's happening.

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Warnings

Difficulty reading could also be attributed to issues with eyesight. If you suffer from blurry vision and are
struggling to see the print on a page, go and get your eyes checked by a professional.
Remember you are not alone if you are an adult who struggles with their reading. Fourteen percent of
the adult population in the United States has difficulty with adult printed materials, while almost 29% of
adults struggle to comprehend reading beyond the most basic levels.[8]

However, if you follow the steps above and you or your child are still profoundly struggling to read, you
may be dealing with a reading disability. Reading disability and reading difficulty can be hard to tell apart,
though their problems have different roots. A reading disability results primarily from the brain’s struggle
to process the sounds of speech. Reading difficulty usually stems from lack of exposure to reading
education.[9]

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About This Article

Megan Morgan, PhD

PhD, English

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD. Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic
Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in
English from the University of Georgia in 2015.

Co-authors: 61

Updated: March 28, 2019

Views: 301,021

Article Rating: 50% - 2 votes

Categories: Reading | Improving Reading Skills

Article Summary

References

↑http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Literacy/

↑http://www.csun.edu/~krowlands/Content/Academic_Resources/Reading/Useful
%20Articles/Cunningham-What%20Reading%20Does%20for%20the%20Mind.pdf
↑http://www.readingrockets.org/article/selecting-books-your-child-finding-just-right-books

↑http://www.csun.edu/~krowlands/Content/Academic_Resources/Reading/Useful
%20Articles/Cunningham-What%20Reading%20Does%20for%20the%20Mind.pdf

↑http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/37-ways-help-kids-learn-love-reading

↑http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/37-ways-help-kids-learn-love-reading

↑http://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2015/executive-summary

↑http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2794989/

↑https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/startearly/ch_3.html

Reader Success Stories

KM

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Feb 27

"Following the tips has helped me tremendously. I encourage everyone to get a book and start reading."

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How to Become A Better Reader and Read More Books

Woman picking up a book from her shelf

Reading is the probably smartest thing you can do for yourself. The path is rewarding and well-traveled,
but busy people must make a special effort to follow it.

You can acquire information when you’re scanning text or watching a video, but it’s not the same as
reading a book. Deep engagement with the text is an unparalleled mental enrichment exercise. Quite
simply, reading is the skill of civilized adults: it imparts the necessary body of knowledge required in
modern society and builds the brain’s capacity to understand and use it.

Check out book summaries to help you read a bit more books.

Table of Contents

Why Reading is Fundamental

Recorded civilization began, literally, with the invention of writing. For centuries, leaders and those who
aspired to achievement have been not just serious readers, but people to whom books were an essential
and ubiquitous preoccupation.

Reading is a daily mental exercise which maintains mental focus, cohesion, imagination. In this article,
we’ll go through the proven steps to improve yourself as a reader, and how to develop your scope so you
can read more books.

Man reading a book

How to Be A Better Reader

The wonder of human experience is available for a library card … but books demand quiet, free, focused
time. In a loud and distracting culture, how can we practice the skill that built civilization?
Before you Begin: Check your motivation

Reading requires effort and persistence, though not as much as you may fear. Becoming a better reader
is a lifetime career, but there is great news. It’s joining in on a lifetime of fun.

Prioritizing reading comes naturally if you continually reward yourself with new books or magazines and
trips to the library with ideas. If reading seems difficult at first, have confidence in knowing the activity
was made for your brain. It’s just a matter of familiarity.

Practice makes reading more fun

Becoming a better reader is very simple … so simple that you will know how by the end of this sentence:
practice. The single common reason that people become good readers is that they read a lot.

Once you can decode words, reading teaches itself naturally. You gradually improve your concentration,
vocabulary, logic, and reading skills by merely doing it.

Not only that, but it doesn’t matter so much what you read, so long as you do. The act of reading itself
makes you into a better reader. It’s a great system because there are many books available for every level
of reader.

All enjoyable reading is good for you

It used to be thought that serious books were needed to make serious minds. Education figures and
parental worriers were beside themselves in alarm when children of the 60’s skipped over the classics to
bury themselves in comic books and silly tales of hobbits.
Later those hippie minds raised on comic books founded the tech revolution in between Dungeon &
Dragon games. Reading is the finest mental exercise.

Step I: Establish enjoyment as your priority

The first step to becoming a better reader is the attitude that makes a successful one: enjoyment.

In school, reading often becomes a testing ground of fear and loathing. This is for many reasons, most
not very good, but one genuine issue is that a teacher’s job is not really about helping students enjoy
reading.

Helping you enjoy reading is the author’s job

Obviously, if you are reading this, you know how—for that, you can thank your teachers. However, the
teaching profession is not about helping you engage with a lifetime of reading.

Reader enjoyment has always been the author’s job. Unfortunately, many students never make it to the
stage of listening to authors instead of teachers: if they did, they would probably like books.

Boy happily reading a book

Find your joy

The first step in how to get better at reading is to enjoy yourself. There is a serious reason for such happy
talk. Our brains find many ways to sabotage something it does not consider ‘fun’ … though this can be
defined in many ways.

Forcing yourself to read is a serious matter. Save that kind of effort for tax returns and road signage. If
you find Shakespeare hard going, then honor your preferences and shun Shakespeare forthwith. Don’t
read a sonnet line.
Guard this essential joy closely, and don’t let it be worn down or abused. No one can do this for you,
which is part of why reading is such a pathway to personal growth.

Step II: Find Good Books

Step two is about keeping a pipeline of books you want to read. This is an ongoing source of pleasure
once you’ve gained the habit. It does, however, need to become a habit.

Comic books, mysteries, romances, sports biographies, dinosaurs–this is your own journey, so make it
what you want it to be.

Step III: Read daily

Consistency is key, so set aside time to read every day. A few minutes will suffice, but the habit is
necessary.

This doesn’t mean making the experience miserable, of course. You can take breaks or change books if
you’d like. Make sure you always have books available that you are interested in. Get used to low-key,
routine book time, and play to your own reading patterns and moods.

Man sitting on a chair with a book

Step IV: Develop an Approach to Reading

You will develop a style of reading that works for you, but to start out here are a few common tactics
many experienced readers use:

Determine the purpose of your reading, so that you have context and focus.
Understand what kind of text it is: whether fiction or nonfiction and which genre or subject it covers.

Stay relaxed while reading. Good readers are not necessarily faster than others; you can make good
progress going slowly. There’s no pressure to achieve anything other than some regular reading time.

Learn to pause and visualize the story, making a picture or movie of it in your head. This will help you
grasp the story or information.

Tips for Becoming a good Reader

The following are some ways to be more active in your reading, which develops greater reading
competency.

Build your vocabulary

Get a dictionary or other means for looking up words, and keep it close by.

Try to figure out an unknown word’s meaning by using the surrounding words as hints.

Look up words you don’t understand, or wish to know more about. Some readers look up words as you
go, others check them after the end of a passage.

Use new words after you learn them.

Take time to read a challenging book

It can be gratifying to tackle a tough book, whether a detailed biography or literary classic. Consider
setting aside some regular time for such books, to keep their reading as a special accomplishment
instead of a drudge.

Taking Notes On A Book

Take notes
This is the essence of active reading. Summarize in your own words the major characters, essential
terms, key dates and main events— even after all these centuries, it’s the best way to learn.

Read out loud

Practice pronunciation and narrative rhythm by reading aloud. You can do this by yourself or with others,
as long as you are comfortable.

Keep track of progress

Even if you don’t have a goal in mind, it can be fun to keep a record of your reading. Track pages read,
minutes of reading, books added—it is motivating to see how your progress.

How to read more books

Since the way to become well read is to read more, you need to find a steady supply of reading material
you enjoy.

Step I: How much do you read?

The first step is to evaluate where you are. Most people read fewer than 5 books a year—many read
none at all.

The key to reading more is to read regularly. Even 15 minutes a day will make a big difference in your
ability, and you will be surprised at how many books you complete without specific effort.

If you want a rough estimate, most readers finish 20 pages of most material in about 30 minutes, an
adequate amount of daily reading.
Step II: Make reading a regular habit

The key to reading more books is to read regularly, and there are proven ways to help.

Establish a nice space for reading

You want reading to be a pleasant activity, so create a welcoming spot to read in each day. The space you
choose should be quiet and without distractions, with proper lighting and furnishings. A library, home
office, or sofa in the living room can all work.

Supply Of Books

Keep a supply of books available

You want access to a variety of reading material, so you can always match your mood and interest. You
might find you like reading nonfiction most mornings, and romance novels on weekends, etc. Keep your
shelves filled with books so that you’ll have the material you want when you want it.

Set a time

It may be helpful to make a specific time to read each day. Waiting until bedtime is not always a great
idea—though it’s one of the pleasures of reading—because you may find yourself too tired to engage.

Step III: Find the right books

Today we have the world of books at our keyboard. Websites like LibraryThing and Goodreads provide
large communities of book-lovers for recommendations and reviews. Don’t be intimidated by the vast
ocean of books that can be read.
Here are some hints on finding your way.

Explore books on your reading level

Remembering the enjoyment priority, find books at your current reading level. You can read anything,
regardless of its level—if you want to—but check out the books at your comfort level too.

How to determine your reading level

Skim the first pages, and see if it makes sense to you. If it seems too simple or too difficult to understand,
it may not be in your target zone.

Try the 5-Finger Rule: read a few pages, putting up one finger for every word you struggle with. If you put
up 5 or more fingers in a single page, the book is probably above your comfort level.

Recall a book you’ve enjoyed and read comfortably, and look up its level specification online.

Build a pipeline of books at your level

Two good ways to find books are “leveled” book lists and grade-level recommendations. You can find
such lists online, compiled by reading or education specialists, and they are a great way to explore a
body of work in your comfort range.

Leveled books

There are several standardized methods of determining the difficulty of a book. None is absolutely
correct, but it’s a place to start.

It might take a few tries to establish your reading level, so remember not to burn yourself out. If a book
is too complicated or doesn’t grab you in a few pages, stop reading it and go to another.
Public library

Your public library

Libraries are a primary source of reading material and resources … and it is free. You can browse shelves
for discoveries, research subjects or authors, and/or get help from professional staff.

One often overlooked service libraries provide is their ‘hold’ process, whereby you can look up and order
a specific title to be sent to your local branch. In this way, you have the entire library book collection to
choose from and can easily maintain an ongoing pipeline of reading material.

Book Lists

There are hundreds of book lists of popular or critically-acclaimed works. If you are reading at a school
grade level, you have a wealth of recommended works by educational groups. National book awards like
Newberry have been evaluating titles for many decades.

Sequels

One of the easiest ways to get book mileage is to explore sequels of a favorite book or author
bibliography. Genre authors are excellent sources of material if you enjoy their style or subject. Harry
Potter has made many lifetime readers by giving them long hours of enjoyment in a related series of
volumes.

Rereading favorite books

Another excellent source of books are the ones you’ve already enjoyed. Rereading books adds another
dimension to the reading experience, and it’s a great confidence builder too.
Fan fiction

Online lists and forums for free fiction written by fans of various shows can be a source for enjoyable
reading. Proficient writers often add their own work to expand upon a story using its familiar characters.
If you are a fan, you can have a lot of fun reading such work.

Magazines

Whether your interest is horses, tractors or antiques, some magazines cover it. You can find in-depth and
well-researched articles on most subjects.

Step IV: Tips to Reading More

Make your reading more social

Just because reading is a solitary act doesn’t mean readers can’t socialize. It can be very motivational to
join a book group or to start one of your own. Contact with like-minded people can support and expand
your literary horizons.

Increase your bookshelf turnover

There are books you want to keep forever, but your reading shelf should be an active setting. Make a
practice of returning or lending books to friends, keeping space available for others you might borrow or
find at a bargain.

Maintain a reading list

Keep a list of books you’d like to read and add to it whenever you find something that interests you.
Some readers keep their list online, but in any form you choose, make sure it’s readily available.
Audiobooks

Listening to an audiobook provides much the same experience as the real thing. Your mind will still
assimilate the words and make mental pictures, so audiobooks are a close substitute to reading. We
have a review on Amazon’s audiobook app. Is Audible worth it? Check it out here.

An E-reader device

E-readers

Like audiobooks, electronic devices are a convenient way to keep a reading pipeline open and available.
Research can’t confirm that reading on a screen is as beneficial as a real book, but it has features that
make it an alternative choice for many.

The main benefit of e-readers is they can store many books at once. Also, the e-book scene is a pirating
frenzy so books can be found at huge discounts. This is a strangely compelling feature for so-called book
lovers, considering library books are completely free—but there it is.

There are also book services like MentorBox. It is a good idea and concept but we don’t recommend this
particular product. Either way you can check them out at our MentorBox review.

Conclusion

Reading is an essential part of civilized life, and your personal efforts to become well read are highly
worthwhile. Much of our consumer culture works against adult reading, but it is never too late to start!
With the right attitude and a few easy habits, you can benefit from the enrichment books can bring to
your life … and, perhaps surprisingly, from their enjoyment too.
ULTIMATE GUIDE

TO READING COMPREHENSION FOR TEACHERS

Qualities of a Good Reader

When looking at reading comprehension, it is important for teachers to be aware of the following
qualities of a good reader.

a) Goal Orientated

Skilled readers read with purpose; they know their reasons for reading and adapt their reading style to
suit (Duke & Pearson, 2002; Konza, 2011).

For example, when using a dictionary, good readers utilise their “alphabetic and scanning skills”,
however, when writing a critical essay their approach to reading changes to extracting and synthesising
pertinent information or ideas (Konza, 2011, p.1).

Moreover, goal orientated readers continue to evaluate the text to ensure it is meeting their objectives
(Duke & Pearson, 2002).

b) Understand Text's Purpose

Readers who understand the purpose of the text consider the author/s approach and beliefs and the
historical context (Konza, 2011; Duke & Pearson, 2002).

Good readers understand writer’s intentions, whether it is to captivate and entertain, provide factual
information or push a particular agenda to persuade their audience (Konza, 2011).

c) Monitor Their Understanding

By recognising they are reading for a purpose, skilled readers monitor their understanding to identify
areas where meaning is lost (Konza, 2011). They also "construct, revise and question" their
understanding based on prior knowledge and experiences (Duke & Pearson, 2002, p. 205).

d) Read Different Texts Differently

Good readers have the ability to change their reading style according to the text type (Duke & Pearson,
2002).

For example, they focus on the characters and surroundings in narrative texts and follow written
instructions in a sequential manner in procedural texts (Duke & Pearson, 2002).

e) Adjusts Reading Strategies

Whilst monitoring their understanding, good readers employ many adjustment strategies (Konza, 2011).

For example, when encountering difficult sentences some readers may reduce the speed at which they
read or reread certain parts if meaning is lost (Konza, 2011).

f) Actively Engaged

Skilled readers are actively engaged when reading, contrary to the passive approach taken by those less
skilled (Konza, 2011; Duke & Pearson, 2002). Interacting with the text creates mutual understanding
between the reader and writer (Konza, 2011).

Also, a good reader’s active engagement with text occurs not just during the act of reading, but also
during breaks from reading and afterwards, when the reader can continue to ponder the text or discuss
it with others (Duke & Pearson, 2002).

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