UNLOCK THE POWER OF ACTIVE READING
3 Proven Strategies for Total Engagement
Pre-reading prep can make all the difference. Before you even pick up a book or click on an article, prime your brain for the information you’re about to obtain by asking yourself a few questions. These two are great starting points: • What is the topic of what I’m about to read? • What do I already know about this topic?
Have you ever read a few pages of a book only to realize you weren’t paying attention to what you were reading at all? Instead of focusing on the words in front of you, your thoughts were drifting off. If this sounds like you, don’t worry; it’s normal! What it does mean, though, is that you weren’t actively reading. Last month, we shared tips in our newsletter on how to become a more active listener. This month, we wanted to follow up our article on Page 1 with tips to help you become a more active reader!
Doing this will help you make connections and get your brain ready to read!
Ditch your highlighter for a pen. The act of writing something down crystallizes that information in our brains and helps us remember it longer. So, as you read, instead of highlighting sentences or phrases you find important, write in the margins instead. You can summarize the important point, ask questions, write keywords, and note whatever else you want on the page. Pause and paraphrase. At the end of each paragraph, page, or chapter, stop and ask yourself what you just read. Try to sum everything up in just one sentence if you can. Forcing yourself to reflect on what you read and mentally organize it creates more connections and permanence in your brain.
Active reading is when you become involved and engage with the text as you’re reading. It has been shown to improve reading comprehension, memory, vocabulary, learning, and even critical thinking skills. So, if you’re looking to learn everything you can from your next book (like the two David mentioned on Page 1!), try these three tips for active reading.
TASTY HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
CHIMNEY CHRISTMAS GIFTS IGLOO
MISTLETOE ORNAMENT PARKA REINDEER
SLEIGH SNOWMAN WREATH YULETIDE
INGREDIENTS • 10 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped • 4 tbsp butter
• 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium heatproof bowl, add chocolate and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and blended, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick. Then gradually add melted chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. 3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. 4. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold egg whites and then cream into the chocolate mixture. 5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill for 3 hours or until set.
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