Have you ever, say, read ALL THE WAY THROUGH a chapter and then realized you can't remember anything you just read? We've been there! At the Reading and Writing Studios, we want to help you read more efficiently-- to remember more of what you read and to spend less time rereading for superficial information.

Why don't I remember [or understand] what I read?

There are many reasons that we find reading a particular text difficult-- we are tired, distracted, hungry. Maybe, we don't know enough about the subject yet for it to seem interesting and connected to our lives. One thing good readers do to make the reading interesting to them is to find ways to identify their PURPOSE for reading. See the videos below, and please download any of our handouts to see if they work for you!

Handouts

This 1-page Thoughtful Reading Guide is a good first step toward developing the habit of active reading and annotation. Try it out! Additional handouts below extend these basic methods to support sustained, active reading and comprehension when working with academic and professional texts.

Sometimes, a particular reading may seem extra difficult because it doesn't seem to relate to us. Try using this graphic organizer ]to support your reading for connections to your life experiences, goals, values, etc.

Try this fillable pdf for reading and taking notes on textbook chapters.

--OR-- Try applying the steps outlined in this Masterful Reading Bookmark

Check out how this article describes using post-it notes to take effective notes, while also paying attention to author experience and credibility. Try our Using Post-It Notes handout to guide you through your use of this technique on your own.

Guide for Improving Reading Efficiency and Comprehension.docx

Quick activities to increase reading comprehension.docx

Why don't I remember [or understand] what I read?

Handouts

More About Reading

The video below offers strategies for reading with purpose and comprehension

The video below offers advice on annotating LITERARY texts (novels, short stories, poems, plays, etc.)