Highlighting and summarizing are crucial reading comprehension strategies. Highlighting involves marking key phrases or sentences within a text to emphasize important information, while summarizing involves condensing a longer text into a shorter version that captures its main ideas. For instance, in a historical text, one might highlight dates, key figures, and major events, then summarize the passage by describing the central conflict or development in a few concise sentences. Different highlighting techniques, like using different colors for different types of information, can further enhance comprehension and recall.
These practices improve reading comprehension, memory retention, and active engagement with the material. By actively selecting and condensing information, readers develop a deeper understanding of the text’s core message. Historically, these techniques have been essential tools for scholars and students alike, allowing them to efficiently process large volumes of information and extract key insights. In the modern era, with the abundance of digital text, these skills remain critical for navigating and understanding complex information.
