“Read with Muscle”

The idea and action of “reading with muscles” should become as natural to you as breathing—you should become so accustomed to this approach to reading that you don’t even notice picking up a pen or pencil at the same time you pick up a piece of reading, whether a book, article, or even 1 sheet of information.

 The following guide gives you a BASIC look at how to begin responding to what you’re reading as you read: 

1. USE SQ3R from the start—take the time to survey the material, read any “discussion” or guide questions that may be part of the work, and then begin your reading.  Don’t skip this “priming the pump” activity because it ensures you’ll get the most out of your reading.
2. Have a pen or pencil ready in your hand—don’t have to stop reading to go find one.  Don’t start reading without being ready to write.
3. Remember to ask yourself the two most important questions, if you’re not doing so automatically:  “What am I reading?” and “Why am I reading it?”  Focus your brain power so you’re not wasting your time!
4. Mark any words you don’t understand or any odd use of words you do understand, but DO NOT stop reading to look up these words.  If you do not understand them or their usage by the end of your reading, THEN get out your dictionary and write what you find in a brief description in the margin of the reading to remind yourself later of the definition or usage. 

**If you “start-stop” in your reading process, you lose the connecting thread that weaves through a work—don’t be tempted to stop and look up words as you go—wait until the end, look them up, and then see how that definition or usage applies in the work you’ve read.**

5. Mark any surprising or confusing sections of your reading with clear symbols (Stars for surprises or important info and question marks for any thing you’re not sure of as you read)—then go back to these areas after you’ve finished reading to either review that info or to determine what it is you don’t understand and can ask about either in class or by going to the professor.
6. With challenging texts, keep a reading journal—and just a simple, cheap notebook will do.  After reading, jot down information that is important to the overall aspects of the work.  Note any special sections or pages that may be a specific help or concern later.  Write a brief summary of what you’ve read, and if you can’t, review the reading more until you can.
7. If the reading becomes challenging or burdensome after 30-plus minutes, take a short break when you’ve finished a section.  Stand up for 5 to 10 minutes—go get something to drink or go to another spot and stretch and clear your mind.  Then come back to the reading and keep going.  Forcing yourself to continue with a reading when you feel like nothing is making sense only creates more barrier for your understanding—give yourself a breather so you can come back with a clear mind and not waste your time.

Anytime you have a particularly challenging reading, pace yourself.  Remember that “Cram and Jam” NEVER works.  As “reading with muscle” becomes a more consistent part of your reading habits, you will find your reading time more effective and most likely, more enjoyable.  If you short-change your time for reading, you will also be reducing your understanding and creating frustration for yourself—and in turn, that lack will be a barrier to your success. 

Use your resources! Don’t forget that other people are also resources for understanding.  Sometimes even the closest read of a work still leaves lingering questions or concerns—don’t hesitate to discuss these readings with someone else who may share with you a different perspective that will shed light on some of your questions.   If you’re working with an academic text, look up the same info in another academic source and see what other information is available on specific terms or concerns in the reading.  Explore, examine, and then connect!

READ WITH MUSCLE, AND YOUR COMPREHENSION WILL EXPAND IN BOTH STRENGTH AND RECALL.