Reading Hard Texts by Rouhollah Aghasaleh

Highlighting

ra292 — 2025-09-23 01:51:06 UTC

I highlight the text as I read.

Annotating

2025-09-23 01:52:03 UTC

I like to read through a text and annotate the text as I go. I highlight and make notes about the text in the margins as I read.

Words

jew129 — 2025-09-23 01:52:06 UTC

I read and if I come across a word I don't know I look it up and then read the section again

Quick Notes/ Takeaways

2025-09-23 01:52:19 UTC

For each section of text, I usually write my key takeaways as it helps me understand what I read once I am done reading.

Small bites

2025-09-23 01:52:48 UTC

For texts that feel particularly dense, I give myself 10 minute focused reading periods, then pause to reflect and digest.

Re-reading

2025-09-23 01:52:55 UTC

I always read hard passages twice, and usually annotate them the second time I read.

breaks and re-reading

2025-09-23 01:52:59 UTC

For larger texts, I often take breaks. I like to read through certain passages multiple times as well.

2025-09-23 01:53:08 UTC

knowing the area of scholarship that the author works in or reading a brief bio helps to know what the reading will be talking about in general

Keywords

2025-09-23 01:53:12 UTC

Finding keywords in the text that can connect to the rest of the text

Talking out loud

2025-09-23 01:53:24 UTC

I try to summarize a text or a section from the text to a friend who has little to no idea what I am talking about to see if I can understand and rely what the author is saying. If my friend doesn't understand me or I cannot understand myself, I reread.

Break it down

2025-09-23 01:53:27 UTC

Start small and cut complex sentences into chunks of words you understand.

Breaks

2025-09-23 01:53:34 UTC

I highlight and take notes but, if the reading is particularly difficult I read a section, then put it down and come back in a few minutes.

Time Keeper

2025-09-23 01:53:48 UTC

https://www.tomatotimers.com/

My last instructor shared this with me, its a time keeper where I can set a timer read for 20-30 min, and explain what I read with someone..

Also a helpful tool for in the classroom with students..:)

Speechify and me are besties

2025-09-23 01:55:07 UTC

If something is read to me out loud, it can help me understand a bit better.

2025-09-23 01:56:17 UTC

Usually I read text and highlight keywords. I re-read and write down the tex to help me remember and include my own thoughts.

-Alicia

The "Izzy" Way of Reading (because the Izzy way is the easy way)

2025-09-23 01:57:52 UTC

I am someone who struggles with reading long-form academic content. Like.... really struggles. Sometimes its like pulling teeth to force myself to read these new texts, so here are some things that I have found that work for me.

Gear up with some ASMR or some relaxing music

Getting myself in a relaxed state of mind promotes what I like to call "The Whatever Man" frame of mind. In this mental space, anything that seemed massive to me now seems more manageable. The music or sounds should NOT have a human talking to me in sounds I recognize or else I will forget what I am reading.

Drinks

No, not alcohol. I want to remember what I have read. A glass of water or a mug of cocoa is a great accompanying treat. Sometimes, I will challenge myself to complete a text before all of my ice has melted.

Colorful fun stationary for notes and annotations

Any text is fun to tackle if you've got colorful cartoon cats cheering you on from your memo pad!

Audio - Text to Speech!!

2025-09-23 01:58:43 UTC