What reading strategy can help with difficult passages?

Skimming for main ideas before delving into a detailed reading is a highly effective strategy for tackling difficult passages. This approach allows readers to get a sense of the text's overall structure and main themes, which can provide crucial context when they return for a more thorough reading. By identifying the key concepts and arguments early on, readers can better locate relevant details and understand the author's intent. This method is especially beneficial in complex texts, enabling them to navigate through the material without getting overwhelmed by intricate vocabulary or convoluted sentence structures.

While reading word-for-word may seem thorough, it can lead to confusion, particularly if the passage is dense. Writing summaries can be helpful but may require more time and effort than necessary at the initial stage. Memorizing key vocabulary might aid comprehension later, yet it doesn’t assist in grasping the overall themes and ideas as effectively as skimming does. Therefore, skimming for main ideas serves as a foundational strategy that enhances comprehension and retention of complex material.