Cognitive Skills:
* Purposeful Reading: Effective readers approach texts with a clear purpose in mind – whether it's to learn information, enjoy a story, solve a problem, or persuade someone. They actively engage with the material to achieve that goal.
* Critical Thinking: They don't passively accept information; they question the author's claims, identify biases, evaluate evidence, and form their own informed opinions.
* Analysis and Inference: They go beyond the literal meaning, identifying themes, interpreting symbolism, drawing conclusions, and making predictions based on the text.
* Summarization and Synthesis: They can condense large amounts of information into concise summaries and integrate new information with existing knowledge.
* Vocabulary Knowledge: A strong vocabulary allows for deeper comprehension and appreciation of nuances in meaning.
Strategic Skills:
* Active Reading Techniques: These include annotating the text (underlining, highlighting, note-taking), asking questions throughout the reading process, and making connections to prior knowledge.
* Adjusting Reading Speed and Strategy: They know when to skim, scan, or read slowly and carefully depending on the text's complexity and their purpose.
* Monitoring Comprehension: Effective readers constantly check their understanding. If they get confused, they re-read, look up words, or seek clarification.
* Metacognition: They are aware of their own thinking processes and can adjust their reading strategies accordingly. They understand their strengths and weaknesses as readers and work to improve.
Other Important Factors:
* Background Knowledge: Prior knowledge on the subject matter significantly impacts comprehension.
* Motivation and Interest: A genuine interest in the topic makes reading more engaging and effective.
* Fluency: Being able to read smoothly and accurately without excessive effort frees up cognitive resources for deeper processing.
In short, effective reading is an active, strategic, and thoughtful process that goes far beyond simply recognizing words. It's about engaging with the text critically, purposefully, and reflectively to extract meaning and achieve a specific goal.