Painless Reading Comprehension - Darolyn “Lyn” Jones Ed.D. 2016

Becoming a better reader
Reading attitudes and patterns

How can you make reading easier and more enjoyable?

✵ Know what kind of reader you are and what kind of reader you want to be.

✵ Have a positive attitude.

✵ Make a choice to practice.

✵ Set goals for yourself.

In the words of one of my favorite principals, Dr. Beresford, “The choices you make today shape your world tomorrow.” Attitude and choice are as important as skill. Attitude is the first step to becoming a better reader, and practice is the second step. You have to make a choice to become a better reader and set the bar high; then you need to practice to reach your goal. In the movie Rudy, the true story of Rudy Ruettiger and his dream of playing Notre Dame football is told. He was not smart enough to get into Notre Dame, and he was too small to play football for Notre Dame. Instead of giving up on what he wanted, he decided he would do anything to reach his goal and made a choice to practice. He studied so he could first get into Notre Dame as a student; then he practiced the game of football so he could make the team as a walk on.

Here are some final thoughts for you to consider:

✵ Writers write about what they love and know, and they write for you, the reader.

✵ Readers write as much of the story as a writer does by reading and responding to the story. It takes both of you to tell the story. Reading is reciprocal.

✵ If you have had trouble with reading in the past, identify what kind of reader you are and think about how you got there.

✵ Use this book and the strategies it offers and learn to become a better reader with patience and practice.

Surfing the web

If you go to any of the web addresses listed in this book and discover that it is no longer valid, either because the web address has changed or has been discontinued, don’t worry. Simply go to your preferred search engine (mine is Google), and type in a key word search on the topic you are interested in. For example, if you are looking for one of the teen read sites, just type in “top teen reads.” You will find many sites that discuss good books to read if you are a teen. When you do a key word search, be as specific and simple as possible. For example, if you want to find reading guides to use while you read, simply type in “reading guides.” Don’t type in “reading guides during reading.” That’s too much information.