Great Reading Strategies - Part 1

Comprehension Strategy: Finding Main Ideas in Paragraphs

Every paragraph has a main idea. This is the most important thing the writer wants to say. The main idea is often near the beginning of the paragraph.

Fluency Strategy: Scanning

Scanning is searching very fast for specific information—a fact, a number, a word, a phrase. Make a clear picture in your mind of the information you are looking for. Move your eyes quickly across the text. Don't read every word. When you find the information, stop and read the sentence.

Comprehension Strategy: Identifying Meaning from Context

You can often work out the meaning of words you don't know from the words and phrases nearby. Try to work out the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) of the new word. Look at the sentences before and after the word. They may use words with the same meaning. or with the opposite meaning.

Fluency Strategy: Skimming for the Main Idea

Skimming is reading fast to understand the main idea, or message. Read the title, the first paragraph, and the first sentences in the other paragraphs. Then read the last paragraph. Read quickly; details are not important.

Comprehension Strategy: Finding Main Ideas in Paragraphs

Every paragraph has a main idea. This is the most important thing the writer wants to say. The main idea is often near the beginning of the paragraph.

Fluency Strategy: Predicting the Topic

You can often predict the topic before you read. The topic is the general subject of the text. Look at the tide and the pictures in the text. These will give you clues about the topic.