Quick Links: Before you read  While you're reading  After you finish reading  Reading boring texts  Reading hard texts  Reading literature		What do you do when you have to read something that's really hard to understand? Things that can make reading difficult: Emotionsótired or frustrated Distractionsóknow your external environment needs.  Be aware of your reading process. Lack of motivationóassigned texts Lack of background knowledgeóunfamiliar ideas and vocabulary How to deal with difficult reading: Scan through the textsólook at titles, subtitles.  See how the chapters are broken up.  Try to make predictions or assumptions.  While reading, scan for key words.  Highlight or underline these words within their contexts in addition to main ideas. Make character lists Have a specific purpose Reread difficult passages; go back and reread highlighted or underlined passages.  Try to make personal connections or make some kind of opinion. ANALOGY: Reading a difficult text is like driving a car. Know the rules of the road Be familiar with the car Relate road signs or conditions to actions Have a plan of action upon difficult or sticky situations If your stuck in traffic, be patientóRoad rage will get you nowhere The more you practice the more this will become like second nature REAL STUDENTS SHARE THEIR STRATEGIES: "I scan the text looking for keywords and I highlight or underline those words, as well as the sentences before and after the words. I do this so I can provide some kind of context for the keywords. Once I have what I feel to be the substance of the text highlighted I go through and try to connect these concepts to the concepts being discussed in class."        --Scott "I read the introduction for Venice Preserved and did not remember one thing about itÖI decided to create a character list: once I went back to the introduction looking for material for my character list, the introduction all of a sudden opened up to meÖ Once I got the characters down, they were not too hard to follow."       --Caroline "I found that re--reading my jotted notes helped me recall the play instantly. I would not have remembered these notes off the top of my head."        --Caroline "In the reading that I had to read, I had to take notes just to be able to remember the key points."       --Kelly   "Honestly, there is not much to say here. If a text is boring, I stop reading it, simple as that. And I never pick a difficult text to read for enjoyment."       --Nicole   Texts that are assigned are the hardest thing for me to read, despite being a powerful reader and my enjoying readingÖ.I find myself backtracking a lot and sometimes sub--vocalizing because I feel like I often turned the page and have no clue what I just read because it was difficult or my attention just isnít there. I always read with a highlighter in my hand as to mark what I think are important points so that I can look back on them quickly, but also because it gives me a purpose.       --Nicole "Knowing something about the author helps me to think of reading as interacting with the author, rather than trying to interact with the lines on paper that make up words."       --Kevin "I try and keep focus and really concentrate on the key ideas. I will highlight important words, and make side notes in the margins."       --Vanessa		Metaphor: Put your metaphor or model for reading here. Use a catchy heading to attract readers.  Page Leaders: Kelly & Nicole