How to Read Intensively: Complete and Practical Guide

13 June 2024

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Intensive reading is a reading method that aims to understand and analyze the text in depth. This technique is very useful for those who want to deepen their knowledge and improve reading skills effectively. In this article, we will discuss how to read intensively with clear and structured steps.

What is intensive reading?

Intensive reading is a reading process that involves full attention and critical analysis of the text. In contrast to extensive reading that focuses on general quantity and understanding, intensive reading emphasizes quality and detail. Intensive readers often try to understand every aspect of the text, including hidden meaning, structure, and writing style.

Why is intensive reading important?

Intensive reading has various benefits, including:

deep understanding: Help the reader understand the text more deeply and critically.
Improve analytical skills: Train readers to better analyze and evaluate information.
increase vocabulary: Enrich vocabulary by paying attention to unusual words and phrases.
Improve writing skills: By understanding the structure and style of writing, readers can improve their own writing skills.

Intensive reading steps

To effectively read intensively, here are some steps you can follow:

1. Choose the right text

Not all text is suitable for intensive reading. Choose texts that are complex and rich in information, such as academic journals, classical literary works, or scientific articles.

2. Skimming (Skimming)

Before starting to read intensively, do skimming to get an overview of the content of the text. Pay attention to the title, subtitle, and first paragraph of each section.

3. Make notes and questions

During reading, make a note of the important points and questions that arise. This will help you stay focused and facilitate further analysis.

4. Read carefully

Read the text carefully, paying attention to every detail. Feel free to reread the difficult parts to understand.

5. Text analysis

in-depth text analysis. Pay attention to the structure of the text, writing style, and hidden meaning. Look for relationships between different parts of the text.

6. Discuss and evaluate

After reading, discuss the text with others or write your evaluation. This will help strengthen your understanding and open up new perspectives.

intensive reading technique

There are several techniques you can use for intensive reading, including:

1. SQ3R Method

The SQ3R method (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) is an effective reading technique for deep understanding.

survey: Skimming to get an overview.
Question: Create questions based on the part being surveyed.
Read: Read the text carefully to find answers to questions.
Recite: Summarize the answer in your own words.
Review: Review your text and notes.

2. Cornell Note-Taking Technique

The Cornell Note-Taking technique is a recording method that helps in organizing information and text analysis.

Paper distribution: Divide the paper into three parts (note, question, summary).
Note: Record the important points during reading.
Question: Create questions for further analysis.
Summary: Write a summary at the bottom of the paper after reading.

Common mistakes in intensive reading

Here are some common mistakes that are often made when reading intensively and how to overcome them:

Don’t make notes: Without a note, you will have trouble remembering and analyzing the information. Make sure to always take notes while reading.
don’t ask questions: Questions help you stay focused and critical. Create questions for each section you read.
Reading too fast: Intensive reading takes time. Don’t be in a hurry and give enough time to understand each part of the text.
not doing a review: Review is very important to strengthen understanding. Always take time to review after reading.

Benefits of Intensive Reading for Various Professions

Intensive reading has different benefits for various professions. Here are some examples:

1. Academics

For academics, intensive reading is essential to understanding relevant literature, developing strong arguments, and producing high-quality research.

2. Author

Writers can improve their writing skills by reading complex works and analyzing writing styles, narrative structure, and language use.

3. Business professionals

In the business world, intensive reading helps in understanding financial statements, market analysis, and complex business strategies.

4. Students

For students, intensive reading is an important skill to understand lecture material, write essays, and prepare for exams.

Tips for improving intensive reading skills

Here are some tips to improve your intensive reading skills:

routine exercise: Practice intensive reading regularly with different types of text.
Use additional resources: Use dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other resources to understand unfamiliar terms and concepts.
Join a discussion group: Discuss the text with others to get a different perspective and deepen understanding.
Set the purpose of reading: Set specific goals for each reading session to stay focused and directed.
keep concentration: Avoid distractions and choose a quiet environment to read.

Conclusion

Intensive reading is an invaluable skill for in-depth understanding and critical analysis. By following the right steps and techniques, you can improve your intensive reading skills and get great benefits in various areas of life. Don’t forget to always take notes, ask questions, and do reviews to strengthen your understanding.

FAQ about Intensive Reading

What is the difference between intensive reading and extensive reading?

Intensive reading focuses on in-depth understanding and critical analysis of the text, while extensive reading emphasizes more on quantity and general understanding.

How to make effective notes when reading intensively?

Use the Cornell Note-Taking method to organize your notes. Divide the paper into three parts (note, question, summary) and note important points, questions, and summaries of the text.

How long does it take for intensive reading?

The time required varies depending on the complexity of the text and the individual reading speed. However, intensive reading usually takes longer than regular reading because it focuses on detail and in-depth analysis.

Is intensive reading suitable for all types of text?

Not all text is suitable for intensive reading. Texts that are complex and rich in information, such as academic journals, classical literary works, or scientific articles, are more suitable for this technique.