Unfortunately, many people don't understand what they read. This is because we are not always able to adequately interpret the different types of texts we are exposed to on a daily basis. When reading doesn't seem to have any meaning, it's a sign that it's time to follow some practical tips for good text interpretation.
At school, we learn the alphabet, we learn to put the letters together and decipher the words they make. This is a mechanical exercise that the brain gets used to. When we are already well trained, reading is not such a difficult task. It turns out that, between unraveling the letters and understanding what the words really want to tell us, there is a long way to go! To really understand the most varied types of text, you will need a few items from our list:
Reading: Anyone who wants to interpret a text well needs to have this healthy habit. Anyone who reads learns many things, in addition to gaining a body of knowledge that will always be useful for textual comprehension.
Rereading: Were you in doubt, the first reading was not enough to understand the text? Read back. Do this carefully and carefully, do not let any information slip away as it can be important for the overall understanding of the text.
Dictionary: Found any unknown words? Don't be lazy to look up its meaning in a dictionary. But remember: do this when you finish reading, you don't need to interrupt the reading to consult the entry, since the interruption can interfere in the construction of meanings in the text.
Read, reread, annotate... These elements are part of the learning process that makes us able to properly interpret a text
make inferences: When we infer, conclude or deduce something from an examination of facts. Inferring means reasoning about what is being read, so open your mind and analyze all the elements of the text, they can give us good clues about what the author wants to say.
Fragment the paragraphs: If you have difficulty understanding a text completely, don't worry: read each paragraph carefully and take notes on the main ideas it presents. With training and dedication, in a short time you will be able to make meaningful relationships between all the paragraphs of the text.
Attention: the most important element for those who want to learn is called DISPOSITION. Who really wants to put aside the difficulties, train and dedicate themselves to be bigger than them. Text interpretation is not an exclusive exercise in the Portuguese language, because whoever understands well what read manages to solve questions in mathematics, physics, biology and the most diverse areas of the knowledge. Interpreting a text efficiently is a very important step to leverage learning. So, put aside your laziness, get to work and good studies!
By Luana Castro
Graduated in Letters
