THE text interpretation it is the key element for academic results, efficiency in solving exercises and even in understanding everyday situations.
In addition to a more attentive reading and prior knowledge of the subject, the fundamental element to correctly interpret and understand a text is to master the language.
And even mastering the language, it is very important to have a dictionary nearby. This is because nobody knows the meaning of all the words and it is very difficult to interpret a text without knowing certain terms.
Finally, the most important thing: read! Only the practice of reading will facilitate your ability to understand and interpret texts. These are 7 tips that will show you how to interpret a text!
1. Read the entire text slowly
The first contact with the text is very important. That's when you'll know what the subject is and what the author's position is.
Read slowly and without interrupting your reading.
2. Reread the text and mark all the words you don't know the meaning
Now that you know what the subject is, on the second reading you will start a more detailed phase.
If there are unknown words, write it down in a draft or underline it in the text itself.
3. See the meaning of each of them in the dictionary and write down
Consult the dictionary and write down the synonyms or an explanation of their meaning. Reread the text replacing the unknown words with the ones you already know.
This not only helps you understand a specific text, it also increases your vocabulary.
4. Separate the text paragraphs and reread one by one making your summary
Separate text into paragraphs. As you read, use a draft to summarize what you read.
From there, you are exercising your ability to understand reading.
Summarize what you read. Adding hasty ideas to the text does not show concentration, and this can lead you to ramble on the subject and even draw wrong conclusions.
5. Write a question for each paragraph and answer
Reading can be a passive attitude, but when you experiment with using the text by asking questions about it and responding, you better absorb the content of its words and their meanings.
At that point, you can see that, after all, there was still a lot to understand.
6. Question the form used to write
Question why the author used a particular way to express himself. What would have been your intention to write like this and not otherwise?
And the words used, do they indicate anything?
7. Make a new text with your own words, but follow the author's ideas
Check off the main ideas and make sure you include them in the text. Writing the same thing, but with your own words, is proof that you understood what you read.
In the end, make sure you don't “put words in the author's mouth” by saying something that the author doesn't mention in the text.
Read too:
- text interpretation exercises
- The importance of reading
- reading strategies
- text summary
- Writing techniques
