Reading Comprehension Strategies

1. Reading to understand2. Paraphrasing3. Identifying Signals in a Reading selection4. Learning New Vocabulary5. 3 sweeps or How to read a textbook

Reading to Understand

1. Topic- read the title or heading to find who or what the passage is about

2. Main idea- Read the first two sentences of the first paragraph to find what the author is telling about the topic

3. Supporting details- Read the rest of the paragraph to find details that tell where, when, why, and how

Parphrasing

1. Say it in your own words- that is paraphrasing

2. Write what you said in a few sentences

Identifying Signals in a Reading Selection

Signals are important words that an author uses in a text that help you to find important information when reading textbooks

Watch for these signals!

1. These words signal supporting details:more furthermoreadditionally moreoverand alsolikewise

Signals

2. These words signal opposing details; they reverse the ideas that were stated before the signal word:

however althoughbut contraryyet notnevertheless despiteotherwise

Signals

3. These words and symbols signaldefinitions: orcommas(,)dash(-)

Signals

4. These words signal sequencenow first latersecond before thenafter finally yesterdaynext earlier nextlast finally today

Signals

5. These words signal facts that are important.most ex) most important, most

populated-est words ex) largest, strongest

Signals

5. These words signal examples that clarify or further explain.

for examplefor instancesuch as

Signals

6. These words signal main ideas or conclusions.

in conclusion in summarythe major point thusbecause thereforeconsequently as a result

Signals

7. These words signal absolutes. They often show up on true false tests.

all always everyoneeveryone never none

Signals

8. Watch for different print styles that indicate important information.

Words in bold printWords in italicsTopics and subtopics printed

larger, in bold or different colors