Pre-reading: What It Is, Characteristics And Functions

It has happened to all of us, especially in high school and university, that we have to read a book, scientific article or text commentary. This task is not very fun and motivating because we know from experience that it is very likely that we will not understand what we read.

This is something that, unfortunately, is very common but, interestingly, it would be relatively easy to fix. Simply documenting ourselves in advance about what the text is about, who its author is or general aspects of what we are going to read can make reading much easier for us.

This is called pre-reading, and it is a very useful tool to improve our reading comprehension and motivation Let’s take a closer look at what it consists of, what its characteristics and functions are.

Reading is more than just processing words on a page; it involves understanding, interpreting, and connecting ideas. One powerful technique that aids in this process is pre-reading. Have you ever flipped through a chapter before diving in to get a sense of what you’re about to read? That’s pre-reading! But what does it really entail, and why is it so important for comprehension and retention? In this article, we’ll explore the concept of pre-reading, its key characteristics and functions, and how it can significantly boost your reading effectiveness.

What is pre-reading?

Pre-reading is the act of preparing yourself mentally and contextually before diving into a full reading task. It’s not about reading the content in full; rather, it’s about skimming, scanning, and identifying important parts of the material. This could involve looking over titles, headings, subheadings, introductory paragraphs, and key terms. Essentially, pre-reading gives you an overview and prepares your brain for what’s to come.

Pre-reading, also called exploratory reading, is a strategy allows us to understand a text in a more exhaustive and detailed way Pre-reading is the first of the three phases into which the exhaustive reading process is divided, with the reading phase and the post-reading phase being the next two. It consists of preparing what you are going to read in order to understand it better, helping your reading comprehension and the effectiveness of the activity.

The objective of pre-reading is to discover what the general idea of ​​a text is before delving into it, so as to know what its secondary themes are. In this way, by proceeding to read the text in a normal way, word by word and phrase by phrase, we will more easily understand its details that, without due prior preparation, would perhaps escape us.

The pre-reading It is usually a spontaneous process, doing a quick reading of the text, looking a little at what is going on, looking at how many pages and chapters the book has and other similar actions. However, on other occasions it is done in a more conscious and structured way, documenting what is going to be read, learning the specific terminology of the text, the context in which it was written and acquiring the basic idea of ​​the text, making it easier to read.

The most common pre-reading action is “scanning”. For example, applied to a book, it would consist of looking at its cover and back cover, looking at the index, looking at the names of the chapters and turning the pages to see if there are photographs or graphics that help us understand what we are going to read. In this way, the reader prepares to move forward safely.

The Importance of Pre-reading in Learning

How Pre-reading Sets the Stage for Better Comprehension

Why should we care about pre-reading? For starters, it helps prime our brains for the material we’re about to absorb. Think of it as stretching before a workout; you’re warming up, getting your mind into the right frame. By glancing over a text beforehand, you can quickly identify the main ideas, topics, and even the structure, making the actual reading process smoother and faster.

Connection Between Pre-reading and Memory Retention

Pre-reading also links directly to memory retention. When you familiarize yourself with key points ahead of time, it’s easier to remember and connect the information later. It’s like setting the stage for better learning.

Characteristics of Pre-reading

So, what makes pre-reading different from other reading techniques? Well, pre-reading is characterized by:

Quick Skimming

You move swiftly through headings, bold text, and other visual cues to get a sense of the content.

Goal-Oriented Reading

You aren’t reading for details yet; you’re gathering an overview of the material.

Minimal Focus on Details

You’re not analyzing the text deeply yet. You’re just seeing what’s there to understand its structure and content.

Functions of Pre-reading

The functions of pre-reading are vital for setting up successful reading habits. Here’s a breakdown of how pre-reading enhances learning:

Activating Prior Knowledge

By looking over the text, you activate your existing knowledge about the subject, making it easier to relate new information to what you already know.

Building Expectations for the Material

Pre-reading helps you predict what the content will cover. This mental framework guides your reading and allows you to focus on important concepts.

Enhancing Focus and Engagement

It increases your attention span and engagement, as you’ve already primed your mind to pay attention to specific topics.

How to Implement Pre-reading Strategies

Pre-reading can be implemented with a few simple techniques:

Skimming and Scanning Techniques

Quickly go through titles, subtitles, and bullet points to get a sense of the material.

Using Headings and Subheadings to Guide Pre-reading

They give you a roadmap of the text, allowing you to predict the structure and flow.

Identifying Key Words and Phrases

This makes it easier to understand the core of the text and prepare yourself for what’s coming.

Pre-reading vs. Other Reading Techniques

While pre-reading is about preparing for deeper understanding, other reading techniques like skimming, scanning, and active reading focus on different aspects.

Comparison with Skimming and Scanning

Skimming is for getting a general sense of content, while scanning is used for locating specific information. Pre-reading, however, is about setting the stage for these more intensive reading strategies.

Differences with Active Reading Strategies

Active reading is when you read with purpose, taking notes, and deeply engaging with the material. Pre-reading, however, is about setting the stage for these more intensive reading strategies.

Benefits of Pre-reading

Pre-reading is like the ultimate study hack. Here are the main benefits:

Improved Comprehension

By getting familiar with the structure and key ideas beforehand, you’ll absorb the content more easily.

Increased Reading Speed

You’ll move faster through the material because you’re already prepared.

Better Critical Thinking Skills

With an understanding of the content’s structure, you can analyze and think critically as you read.

Pre-reading in Different Contexts

Pre-reading isn’t limited to just textbooks or academic materials. It can be used in various settings:

Classroom Settings

Teachers often encourage pre-reading to help students engage with the text and generate questions before reading in depth.

Self-study and Independent Learning

It helps individuals prepare for exams, write reports, or simply understand new topics.

Pre-reading in Professional Environments

Whether it’s preparing for a presentation, meeting, or reviewing reports, pre-reading helps professionals get the gist of content before delving into details.

Challenges in Pre-reading

Despite its benefits, pre-reading does come with its challenges:

Overcoming Distractions

It can be hard to focus when there are distractions, and pre-reading requires attention to detail, even if you’re not reading the entire text.

Dealing with Dense or Complex Texts

Some material may be too complicated or dense, making pre-reading harder.

Common Mistakes in Pre-reading

It’s easy to make mistakes in the pre-reading process. Here are a couple to avoid:

Rushing Through

Skimming through too quickly means you’ll miss important parts of the text.

Ignoring Unfamiliar Words

If you encounter words you don’t know, skipping them can hinder your understanding.

Pre-reading Techniques for Different Types of Texts

Different texts require different pre-reading techniques:

Academic Texts

Look for keywords, theories, and definitions.

Fictional Literature

Focus on character names, chapter summaries, and key events.

Non-fiction and Reference Materials

Identify key facts, statistics, and definitions.

How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Pre-reading

To assess if your pre-reading strategy is effective:

Assess Comprehension

Can you recall the key ideas? Did the pre-reading make the reading easier?

Retention

Were you able to retain the information after reading?

Pre-reading and Technology

In today’s digital world, pre-reading can be enhanced with technology. Apps and tools like e-readers and digital notes can help you pre-read more efficiently. Features such as highlighting and bookmarking can help identify important sections before you start reading in depth.

Pre-reading is an invaluable technique that prepares the mind for more effective reading. By skimming, scanning, and identifying key components of a text, you set yourself up for improved comprehension, speed, and retention. Whether in the classroom, in professional settings, or during self-study, pre-reading is a practice that can elevate your reading experience.

FAQs about Pre-reading

What is the main purpose of pre-reading?

The main purpose is to familiarize yourself with the text’s structure and key ideas before reading in depth, which helps improve comprehension and retention.

How long should pre-reading take?

Pre-reading should be quick—usually about 5-10 minutes depending on the length of the material.

Can pre-reading work for fiction books?

Yes, pre-reading can help identify key characters, themes, and plot points in fictional literature.

Is pre-reading essential for every text?

While not always necessary, pre-reading is especially useful for complex or dense materials, like academic texts.

What should I focus on during pre-reading?

Focus on headings, subheadings, keywords, and any bold or italicized text to get an overview of the material.