7 Comprehension Strategies Every Student Should Know

7 Comprehension Strategies Every Student Should Know

As students progress through their education, comprehension becomes increasingly critical to academic success. The ability to understand and interpret a variety of texts is essential in almost every subject area. While many students struggle with comprehension, several strategies can make a substantial difference in their understanding of material. In this article, we will discuss seven comprehension strategies every student should know.

1. Activating Prior Knowledge
One of the most effective ways to understand text is to relate it to prior knowledge. Encouraging students to think about what they already know about a topic before they read it can help them make connections and improve comprehension. For example, a student reading a text about the American Revolution may think about what they learned in primary school and relate that to the new material.

2. Asking Questions
Asking questions about the text can help students identify key ideas, bring attention to critical information, and dig deeper into the material. Several types of questions are common during reading, including literal, interpretive, and evaluative questions. Encourage students to ask questions before, during, and after reading to develop a deeper understanding of the text.

3. Summarizing
Summarizing the text in their own words is a valuable strategy that students can use to improve their comprehension. It helps students identify important information, eliminate irrelevant details, and recognize the main idea. Encourage students to write a brief summary of what they’ve read at the beginning or end of each section.

4. Inferring
Inferences require students to read between the lines and make their own conclusions about what is not explicitly stated in the text. These conclusions may be based on prior knowledge, context clues, or clues within the text. By making inferences, students can gain a deeper understanding of what they’re reading.

5. Monitoring Comprehension
Monitoring comprehension involves checking their understanding of the material as they read. Encourage students to pay attention to their thoughts while reading and identify areas where they are struggling to comprehend. This self-monitoring can help them identify and address comprehension issues more efficiently.

6. Visualizing
Visualizing involves using mental imagery to create a visual representation of the material. It can help students understand the text on a deeper level and remember details more effectively. Encourage students to pause periodically during reading to visualize what they’re reading.

7. Synthesizing
Synthesizing is the process of bringing together various pieces of information to create a cohesive understanding of the content. After reading, students can pull together the most crucial points from each section to create a comprehensive understanding of the text. Encourage students to synthesize the material to tie everything together.

Conclusion
Comprehension strategies are essential tools for students to develop a deeper understanding of academic material. Encouraging students to activate prior knowledge, ask questions, summarize, infer, monitor comprehension, visualize, and synthesize can help them become more proficient readers. By teaching and reinforcing these strategies, educators can help students improve comprehension, become independent learners, and achieve academic success.